Israel tightens election safeguards as public distrust surges: What to know Israelis have lost trust in the government and in its ability or willingness to conduct free and fair elections. Israel
Analysis Why Turkey sees Israeli strikes in Syria as warning over its military role, Mecca Pact Ankara views Israel’s latest strikes in Syria as part of a broader effort to curb Turkey’s military influence in Damascus and a challenge to its regional defense partnerships. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Turkey bets on US deconfliction as Israel widens Syria red lines As Washington pushes a new deconfliction mechanism between Turkey and Israel, the Jewish state shows little incentive to accept tighter constraints on its freedom of action in Syria, experts say. By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist
Analysis Can Trump's economic war ultimately force Iran to compromise? President Trump's new economic offensive comes as Iran is grappling with war damage, tighter oil restrictions and a shrinking ability to absorb another major shock. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Newsletter: Turkey Turkey's Mecca Pact strategy By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Nationwide protests in Iran as food prices increase Subsidy cuts have led to nationwide protests in Iran. Iran
Iraqi Kurdistan government denies taking control of oil fields in Kirkuk An oil company run by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil alleged that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s forces took over some oil fields in the disputed northern province. Iraq
US welcomes Sanaa's first commercial flight in six years The Jordan-bound flight on Monday came as part of a UN-brokered truce struck in April. Yemen
Wave of atrocities in Darfur tarnishes Sudan’s coup authorities Military leaders in Khartoum and their allies in armed groups from the western region have been accused of direct and indirect responsibility for the worst episode of atrocities since the generals’ seizure of power in October. North Africa
Harris stresses US-Emirati partnership after MBZ meeting The visit by Vice President Kamala Harris and other US officials come as relations between Washington and Abu Dhabi hit a rough patch. United Arab Emirates
Turkey continues to play hard ball over Sweden, Finland NATO membership Turkey’s Islamic-leaning Justice and Development Party government is demanding that both countries end their arms embargoes on Turkey over its military intervention in 2019 against the Kurds in northeast Syria. Turkey
Syrians dodge military conscription Syrian military-age men are fleeing conscription, forcing them to defer their future or pay back the government. Syria
Skepticism about Sudanese military's calls for dialogue Analysts believe the recent call by Sudan’s military leaders for a dialogue to overcome the ongoing political crisis will not lead to any results. Sudan
Israel targets Hamas leader after call to attack Israelis with 'cleaver, ax or knife' Israel may be targeting Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar following the ax attack in the central city of Elad. Palestine
Ethiopia to supply South Sudan with electricity, as Nile dam talks continue to falter Ethiopia plans to export electric power to South Sudan as part of an electrical interconnection project between the two countries, as negotiations with Sudan and Egypt on Ethiopia’s controversial dam on the Nile River are at a dead end. Egypt
Uri Savir, key negotiator in Oslo Accords, passes away at 69 The death of former Foreign Ministry Director General Uri Savir, one of Israel's more creative and relentless peace-negotiators, leaves a void among those who battle for coexistence. Israel
Egypt, Ethiopia compete for US support in Nile dam file Ethiopia’s former water minister presents his credentials as a new ambassador to the United States, in a move that aims to counter Egyptian efforts to win US support to its side in the GERD dispute. Egypt