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
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
Eritrean president meets Sudan leaders over border dispute Eritrea is seeking to defuse allegations that it has aided Ethiopia in its border dispute with Sudan, Sudan
Libyan prime minister visits Ankara The visit of the prime minister of Libya's Government of National Unity highlights an ongoing, close relationship with Turkey, with implications for the Libyan political process, and a likely signal to Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey
Ankara in risky geopolitical gamble in Black Sea Fiddling with the delicate balance of power in the Black Sea might leave Turkey in a worse squeeze between Russia and the United States. Turkey
Freedom House: Syria, Western Sahara worst in world for political rights The think tank also downgraded Jordan to "not free" in its 2021 democracy rankings. Jordan
Turkey to purchase fourth drilling ship to expand energy projects Amid maritime boundary disputes in the eastern Mediterranean and after a 2020 gas field discovery the Black Sea, Turkey’s state-owned oil and gas company is finalizing the purchase of a fourth drilling ship to expand its energy development activities. Turkey
