In a first, ICC convicts Sudanese militia leader of Darfur war crimes Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur between 2003 and 2004. Sudan
Supreme Court clears path for Turkey’s Halkbank trial over Iran sanctions The Turkish president personally raised the Halkbank case with US President Donald Trump at the White House, as Ankara pushes for a settlement to avoid a drawn-out legal battle. Turkey
Lebanon seizes $1.5M in cocaine at Beirut airport: What to know The country has recently stepped up its fight against drug trafficking, seizing large amounts of cocaine at ports and airports and targeting Captagon production. Lebanon
Analysis How far will China, Russia go in shielding Iran from UN sanctions? Iran is lobbying states to resist enforcement of UN sanctions — looking particularly to China and Russia to blunt the impact, even as questions remain about the limits of their willingness to act. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Has Ukraine war given Erdogan free hand at home? Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might be aiming to tighten his grip on the domestic front, taking advantage of Ankara’s rising profile amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Turkey
Tunisian president grants himself power to appoint election authority The presidential decree to revise the law of the Independent High Authority for Elections in Tunisia and change its composition is facing widespread criticism from opposition parties and organizations that accuse Tunisian President Kais Saied of granting himself wide powers that may affect the course of democracy. Tunisia
Turkey’s Kavala conviction earns sharp rebuke from US The State Department expressed concern over Turkey's "continued judicial harassment" after a court in Istanbul sentenced philanthropist Osman Kavala to life in prison. Turkey
Analysis US Navy veteran detained by Iran sues over alleged torture Michael White, who was imprisoned by Iran for nearly two years, spoke to Al-Monitor about his newly filed federal lawsuit against Tehran. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iraqi federal court accused of politicization Iraq's federal court is under scrutiny for seemingly politically influenced decisions on sensitive cases. Iraq
Iraqi judges in crosshairs of drug dealers with powerful connections Iraq has seen systematic assassinations of judges since 2003, most of whom were handling investigations into drugs and corruption cases involving influential figures and parties. Iraq
Historic decision to appoint Christian judge as head of Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court In a move described as “historic,” the Egyptian president issued a decision appointing a Christian judge as head of the Supreme Constitutional Court for the first time in history. Egypt
Council of Europe starts disciplinary process for Turkey over Kavala Rights groups are calling for Osman Kavala's immediate release, while Ankara calls the Council of Europe’s decision to start the lengthy process “malicious” and “politically motivated.” Turkey
Tunisian police fire water cannon, tear gas on anti-Saied protesters The protesters gathered in downtown Tunis on what marked the 11th anniversary of the uprising that toppled Tunisia's former dictator. Tunisia
German court convicts ex-Syrian officer of crimes against humanity Anwar Raslan is the highest-ranking former Syrian government official to be tried for crimes committed in Syria's civil war. Syria
Electricity law connects Bedouin homes to Israel’s power grid Approved yesterday by the Knesset, the new electricity law will enable connecting Bedouin homes constructed without permits to the country’s power and water grids. Israel
US man charged with gathering files on opponents of Egyptian government The Justice Department said Pierre Girgis used his connections with local law enforcement collect information about US-based critics of the Egyptian government. News Brief
