Analysis Despite top-level visits, lingering mistrust overshadows Pakistan-Iran ties Against the backdrop of renewed tensions in South Asia, Iran and Pakistan are navigating a fragile detente shaped by border security concerns, regional rivalries and the prospect of closer economic ties. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Syria-Israel talks reportedly intensify as Trump asks Sharaa to normalize: What to know Following President Donald Trump’s call for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords, multiple contacts have reportedly taken place between Israeli and Syrian officials. Israel
Iranian, Saudi officials in India as more airlines halt service amid Pakistan row Iranian and Saudi officials headed to New Delhi in separate visits following Indian airstrikes in Pakistan that raised fears of war between the neighboring countries. Iran
Israel intercepts weapons-laden drone from Egypt: What we know The Israeli military said it intercepted a large drone carrying rifles and ammunition from Egypt. Egypt
Analysis Macron’s Palestine gamble: Can recognition plan jump-start peace talks? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Israel doubts Syria breakthrough as Sharaa signals openness to Abraham Accords By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Analysis As Israel pummels Syria, can it avoid collision course with Turkey? By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iraqi forces arrest Syrians accused of trying to sneak across border An Iraqi military body said a group of Syrian citizens were caught attempting to illegally cross into western Iraq. News Brief
Jordan to reopen border crossing with Syria Jordan closed the Jaber border crossing in August due to security concerns amid fighting in southern Syria. Jordan originally supported the Syrian opposition in the civil war but has moved closer to the government recently. News Brief
Algeria partly blames Israel in decision to cut ties with Morocco In explaining his country’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Morocco, Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra also pointed a finger at Israel. Israel
Turkey offers to mediate disputes between Sudan, Ethiopia Erdogan also said he stands behind a peaceful resolution to the violence in Tigray. Turkey
Two rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel Israel shelled areas of southern Lebanon in response, though it was unclear who fired the rockets. News Brief
The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town. Tunisia
Turkish plan to reopen Cyprus ghost town strains rapprochement with Egypt Egypt slams the Turkish plan to reopen the town of Varosha in the eastern part of the island of Cyprus, at a time when talks to normalize ties between the two countries have stalled. Egypt
Explainer: The conflict between Turkey and Cyprus over the Varosha ghost town Turkey is supporting the development of a former tourist resort in Northern Cyprus, prompting condemnation from the Republic of Cyprus, Israel, the United States and others. Turkey
Iran presses for visa waiver from Iraq Iranian authorities continue to pressure the Iraqi government into waiving its travel visa between the two countries. Iraq
UN reports severe human rights abuses in Western Sahara Most of Western Sahara is controlled by Morocco, and is considered a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations. News Brief
Will new Red Sea airport spark development on Egypt-Sudan border? With the opening of a new international airport in the Red Sea, residents of the disputed Halayeb and Shalateen region are hoping the government will step up development efforts. Egypt
Intel: Biden dispatches US senators to forge further ties with Sudan Two US senators met with Sudan’s interim leaders in Khartoum on Tuesday as the Biden administration seeks to forge lasting ties with the new government. Washington Pulse
