Turkey detains 11 over ISIS-linked attack on Israeli Consulate: What to know The attack was likely designed to portray Turkey as protecting Israel by targeting the local police guarding the consulate, one observer notes. Turkey
Desperate to sell its oil, Iraq turns to Turkey amid standoff with Kurds As Iraq looks to reroute oil to Turkey, Baghdad is also using the plan to push the Iraqi Kurds to greenlight exports through their territory. Iraq
Turkey to repatriate its ISIS fighters from Iraq as jihadis escalate Syria attacks Ankara will repatriate its nationals from among thousands of fighters transferred from Syria, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said. Turkey
US military completes evacuation of ISIS prisoners from Syria to Iraq The detainee transfer opens the door for US troops to further withdraw from Syria ahead of a potential military confrontation with Iran. Syria
Exclusive Syrian Kurdish officials say 66 Turkish ISIS fighters transferred for relocation to Iraq By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Feature Syrian Kurds say US ignored pleas for help as ISIS detainees turned on them in al-Hol By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Raqqa mothers recount horrors of life under IS as city liberated The thousands of Syrians who fled Raqqa when it fell under the Islamic State’s control have gained an inch of hope to return to their homes after the city was recently liberated. Lebanon
How the Syrian army is working to gain control of road to Raqqa The Syrian regime army took control of Hama’s eastern countryside from the Islamic State, which opened a road toward eastern Syria and areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Islamic State sees dollar signs in Egypt As the Islamic State and its affiliates are forced out of Syria and Iraq, their recent bank robbery in North Sinai province indicates they might be turning to targets in Egypt to refill their coffers. Egypt
Egypt prepares for return of IS fighters' children Egypt is preparing to welcome and provide rehabilitation services for 15 Egyptian children who were found in Islamic State camps in Libya. Egypt
Are Russia, Iran outflanking the US in Iraq? Russia deftly manages potentially choppy ties with Iran, while the United States claims Iran "subverting Iraq." Iraq
Turkey finally acknowledges soldier executed by IS Almost a year after a burning execution video hit social media, Turkish officials have recognized that one of the victims was a Turkish soldier, but the government remains mum. Turkey
Following Islamic State ouster, tribes key to stability in eastern Syria After the ouster of the Islamic State from the oil-rich Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria, several issues are expected to complicate efforts to stabilize the region. Syria
Libyan activists team up with Al-Azhar to tackle extremism A group of Libyan activists are working alongside Egypt’s Al-Azhar to protect religious clerics defending moderate Islam in Libya from extremist attacks. Libya
Raqqa win pulls US deeper into Syria conflict The fall of the Islamic State capital could put the US military on a collision course with Assad. Syria
Iran denies role in recapture of Kirkuk Iranian officials and media throw their support behind the Iraqi government’s operation to retake Kirkuk, but deny that the IRGC played any role. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Saudi Arabia’s call for international coalition against Hezbollah faces obstacles A Saudi politician called for the establishment of an international coalition to confront Lebanon’s Hezbollah, a suggestion that did not garner much support, namely in Europe. Saudi Arabia
Egypt added to Roman Catholic pilgrimage list Egypt's elated tourism officials are ready to roll out the red carpet for Catholics now that the country has Pope Francis' blessing as a pilgrimage destination. Egypt
