On first visit to Paris, Lebanon's Salam secures $88M reconstruction pledge During discussions with Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Beirut must implement economic reforms before an aid conference can be organized to support Lebanon's reconstruction. Lebanon
2 Iranian border guards killed in Kurdistan province: What to know Iraq agreed to move Iranian Kurdish groups farther from the border in 2023, but some clashes have occurred since then. Iran
Turkey on edge as clashes continue in Syria's Suwayda, Kurds weigh next move Turkey fears a deepening ethnic fracture in Syria could redraw the regional map — and embolden its own Kurdish population. Turkey
Analysis Will Israel's airstrikes in Druze city derail Syria normalization talks? The violent clashes in Syria and subsequent Israeli attack have pushed a potential bilateral security agreement further off. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis Despite top-level visits, lingering mistrust overshadows Pakistan-Iran ties By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Egypt heads to Khartoum to avert crisis over disputed Halayeb-Shalateen area The controversy between Egypt and Sudan over the Halayeb and Shalateen region was renewed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in a recorded video with a map in the background showing the Halayeb and Shalateen Triangle as part of the Sudanese lands. Egypt
Are Turkey, Azerbaijan ready to talk peace with Armenia? Although TRT momentarily reported that Azerbaijan had claimed it had emerged victorious in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, there seems to be a lot to still sort out before there can be a lasting cease-fire. Turkey
Second round of maritime-border talks between Israel, Lebanon Israel and Lebanon conducted a second round of mediated talks with the goal demarcating the maritime border between the two countries. Israel
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict tests Turkey’s hard power without diplomacy Can Ankara’s “coercive diplomacy” in the south Caucasus yield tangible diplomatic benefits in the long run? Turkey
Democratic senators demand inquiry into alleged Turkish and Azerbaijani human rights abuses Turkey has responded to some of the recent criticisms it has received from Democrats in Washington. The recent call from the Senate focuses Turkish support for Azerbaijan in the war with Armenia. Turkey
What now for Turkey in Cyprus and eastern Mediterranean? The election of Turkey’s favorite candidate in the Turkish Cypriot presidential elections may create more problems than opportunities for Ankara in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Cracks in Turkish-Russian ties begin to show Mistrust instead of the spirit of mutually beneficial political cooperation is guiding current relations between Ankara and Moscow. Turkey
Can Russia benefit from Turkey-Greece spat? In light of the conflict in the eastern Mediterranean between Turkey and Greece, Russia may be looking to strengthen its ties with Greece in order to further its interests in the region. Russia
Hezbollah rejects Lebanese delegation at maritime border talks with Israel Lebanon's two main Shiite parties said the negotiating team in the border talks shouldn't include civilians. Israel
Biden campaign criticizes both Azerbaijan and Armenia in statement on war The US presidential contender also slammed Turkey's role in official remarks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey
North Cyprus reopens contentious ghost town with Turkish support Days before Northern Cyprus holds elections, Ankara backed the reopening of a ghost town in the island’s green zone in a polarizing move that could influence voter turnout. Turkey
What’s next for Erdogan after eastern Mediterranean and Caucasus? Turkey's involvement in the South Caucasus conflict and decision to test the S-400 missile system show that Erdogan is continuing to embark on new adventures despite his recent failure in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
