With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU. Israel
Majority in Turkey rejects court ruling ousting CHP’s Ozel, poll shows A new poll shows a majority in Turkey rejects the court ruling that ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel. Turkey
Turkey: Thousands defy police to rally for ousted CHP leader Ozel Tens of thousands of CHP supporters rallied for Ozgur Ozel in Izmir on Tuesday in a major show of defiance after a court ousted him from the party leadership. Turkey
Explainer Why Sunni frustration is growing over Lebanon’s amnesty law Parliament speaker Nabih Berri postponed a parliamentary session scheduled to vote on a draft general amnesty law following disagreements about who should benefit from the measure, including Islamist detainees. Lebanon
Analysis Iran tightens wartime crackdown across Kurdish, Baluch ethnic regions By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Mobster’s claims turn spotlight to new cocaine route via Turkey A spree of rattling allegations by a Turkish mobster has brought into focus the increase in cocaine trafficking in Turkey and its domestic and international ramifications. Turkey
Ramadan series revives debate on verbal divorce, marital rape in Egypt One of the most watched Ramadan series renews the debate on verbal divorce and marital rape in Egypt. Culture
Erdogan in hot spot as Turks question 'mafiazation' of politics Erdogan risks a major political setback unless he manages to contain an unprecedented scandal sparked by a mobster claiming close links with government figures. Turkey
How an exiled mafia boss became the center of Turkish politics An ultranationalist mafia boss, Sedat Peker, who had connections with the ruling elite for decades, now wages war against top officials with his camera and tripod from abroad. Turkey
Crypto fever grips Turkey despite risks, new regulations Turkish citizens are increasingly investing in cryptocurrencies to shelter savings from the volatile Turkish lira and possibly make profits on the side, a trend that has led to both increased risks and increased government regulations. Turkey
European countries urge Israel to halt planned settlement expansion Five foreign ministries call on Israel to scuttle plans to build more West Bank settlements. Israel
Member of Boogaloo movement expresses 'regret' for attempting to help Hamas Two members of the anti-US government Boogaloo movement have pleaded guilty to attempting to support the Palestinian military organization Hamas. News Brief
The cost of Turkey’s grey passport scandal Turkey’s service passport scandal may be more costly than imagined. On the domestic front, the case is one more sign that organized crime fuels corruption. In the international arena, Turkey is expected to encounter more embarrassment and court cases for smugglers. Turkey
Turkey broadens pay phone probes to nab Gulenist soldiers A fresh judicial probe targeting hundreds of suspected Gulenist soldiers shows that purges in the Turkish military are far from drawing to an end. Turkey
Will Turkey’s third largest party survive closure case? The fate of Turkey’s main Kurdish political movement remains in limbo even though the Constitutional Court last week rejected an indictment seeking the closure of the party. Turkey
Tribes in east Syria resort to their own judiciary over lack of trust in official courts Tribes in the northeastern Syrian province of Hasakah agreed to set up a tribal judiciary system as an alternative to the official judiciary affiliated with the Kurdish-led authorities running the area. Syria
US offers up to $10M reward for information on Hezbollah operative The United States is seeking information on the whereabouts of Salim Jamil Ayyash, who is wanted for the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister. News Brief
