Saudi Arabia deepens footprint in Syria with four new oil and gas deals The year-old Syrian government looks to revive the country’s energy sector, in part by signing deals with international companies and attracting foreign direct investment. Syria
US set to scrap Syria sanctions as Caesar Act repeal heads to vote The annual defense bill calls for the full repeal of the Caesar Act without conditions. United States
Analysis Israel likely to strike Iran in 2026, European diplomats say Israel might opt to strike Iran again next year if it assesses that the Tehran-based government is resuming high-level uranium enrichment. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iran currency dips to new low of 1.2M per dollar as sanctions bite: What to know Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the rial has plummeted. Iran
Analysis Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood move rekindles US debate over Islamist movement By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Analysis Sharaa in Washington: Can US charm offensive boost Syria’s reconstruction? By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
SWIFT cutoff leaves Egyptian students in Russia empty handed Russia's exclusion from global payments systems has prevented thousands of Egyptian students in the country from receiving money from their families back home. Egypt
Iran slams new US sanctions amid nuclear deal uncertainty The fresh sanctions targeted a network of Iranian firms over links to the Revolutionary Guards' missile program and came as an impasse in the nuclear deal talks drags on. Iran
Ukraine war boosts Erdogan's 'new Atlanticism,' but for how long? Turkey’s westward focus may complicate, or complement, Ankara’s previous priority of Eurasia. Turkey
Will Ukraine crisis help Turkey dodge Western arms embargoes? Drawing on the role of Turkish drones in bolstering Ukraine’s defense, Erdogan has urged NATO partners to lift restrictions on military sales to Turkey. But US sanctions remain a tough row to hoe. Turkey
Iran FM says IRGC sanctions 'red line' for Vienna talks Iran’s foreign minister has issued a clarification stating that sanctions on the IRGC must be removed before Tehran agrees to a new Iran deal in Vienna talks. Iran
Turkey, Netherlands patch up relations amid Ukraine crisis Arriving for a top-level visit in Ankara after years of tense relations, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte says he would like Turkey to join sanctions against Russia but understands Ankara’s unique position. Turkey
As West ups sanctions on Russia's oligarchs, many maintain Israeli citizenship Dozens of Russian oligarchs have obtained Israeli citizenship in recent years due to their Jewish heritage. Western sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could affect Israel’s relationships with the billionaires as well as its technology sector. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Analysis Bennett, Erdogan seek to fill diplomatic vacuum over Ukraine Qatar’s role in Iran diplomacy even more vital with pause in Vienna nuclear talks. By Week in Review
Egypt charts middle diplomatic course in Ukraine war Cairo voted in favor of the US-backed UN resolution condemning the Russian invasion, but is not shutting down ties with Moscow. Egypt
Biden administration to announce sanctions waivers for Syrian Kurds, Sunni opposition-held areas Sanctions exemptions are aimed at expediting humanitarian aid and diminishing the economic damage in certain areas. Syria
US sanctions smuggling network backing Yemen's Houthis The latest Houthi-related sanctions come as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia push the Biden administration to designate the Iran-supported group as a terrorist organization. Yemen
Raisi says Iran's gas production strong despite US sanctions Iran's president declared that US sanctions have failed to put a brake on his country's lucrative natural gas production. Iran
