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
Iraq summons Turkish ambassador over deadly PKK airstrikes The Turkish military launched two airstrikes on Iraqi territory, prompting a rebuke from the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Iraq
Coronavirus in Iran prompts fears of spread in Iraq The outbreak of coronavirus in Iran prompted a wave of anti-Iranian sentiment among Iraqi protesters, who called for the closure of the border. Iraq
Netanyahu's plan to annex Jordan Valley kills all chances for Palestinian state While political leaders are lining up to oppose the threats to the two-state solution posed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pre-election statement, a closer look at the devastating effects on the ground shows that the viability of a Palestinian state would be threatened if annexation of the Jordan Valley is carried out. Palestine
Blue and White champions Israeli sovereignty over Jordan Valley The declarations by Blue and White leader Benny Gantz in favor of perpetuating Israel’s occupation of the Jordan Valley are a cynical ploy to attract right-wing voters, but they erode his support for the two-state solution. Palestine
Will the Trump administration abort Iran’s land bridge to the Mediterranean? As tensions between the United States and Iran are at their height in the Gulf region, there are talks about Iran pushing for the opening of al-Bukamal crossing between Syria and Iraq. Iraq
Hamas takes control of second Gaza Strip border crossing Palestinian Authority employees claim Hamas forced them to turn over supervision of the Kerem Shalom crossing in Gaza, but Hamas says the workers left because they didn't want to comply with security inspections Hamas imposed. Palestine
House spending bill repudiates Morocco on Western Sahara The political wrangling over President Donald Trump’s border wall has dealt Morocco an unwelcome setback. North Africa
Netanyahu’s Golan statement ignores new Syria reality For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu partnering with the far-right and proclaiming sovereignty over the Golan Heights is more important than aspiring to regional alliances with Muslim and Arab countries. United Arab Emirates
Black Sea simmers as world awaits Kerch Strait fallout The Russia-Ukraine crisis could expand to affect many countries, and Turkey's position is potentially crucial. Turkey
Can Turkey mediate Russian-Ukrainian conflict on the Black Sea? President Erodogan has been on the phone with the Ukrainian, Russian and US presidents and has called for Ukraine and Russia to peacefully resolve their conflict. Turkey
