Explainer As Guterres exits, here are contenders for UNSG and their Middle East outlook The next UN secretary-general will inherit a Middle East agenda dominated by crises. United States
Interview Ex-PM says Sudan risks partition amid US ceasefire push Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also called for the United States to impose sanctions that would carry “personal consequences” for the warring sides.
Iran rallies thousands of volunteer fighters as talks with US stall: What to know Iran has been leading a volunteer recruitment drive and providing military training to civilians as talks with the US remain stalled. Iran
Lebanon PM meets Rubio as Israel talks stall: What to know The visit comes as US-brokered talks between Lebanon and Israel have made little headway, with Israeli elections looming. Lebanon
UNIFIL mandate extended as US envoy visits Lebanon US envoy Amos Hochstein met with Lebanese officials to follow up on the maritime border agreement with Israel that allowed offshore gas exploration in Lebanese waters and to likely discuss UNIFIL's extension. Lebanon
Erdogan: Revival of Russia-Ukraine grain deal hinges on West Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Russia’s return to the critical deal was dependent on Western countries’ fulfilling their responsibilities. Turkey
US sanctions exemption for earthquake relief to Syria expires The Treasury announcement came as the Syrian government reauthorized the UN's use of two border crossings to deliver aid. Syria
How Syria's Assad is using aid access to hasten normalization Experts say Syria's proposal to coordinate UN aid delivery is an attempt to cast itself as a constructive partner at a time when the region is bringing Bashar al-Assad in from the cold. Syria
Rights groups appeal to UN to stop execution of Iranian boxer Vafaei-Sani Iran sentenced to death local boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei-Sani on vague charges after he was arrested following his participation in the 2019 anti-regime protests. Iran
Analysis Why Biden’s invitation to Netanyahu is not an Israeli achievement President Joe Biden might opt to meet Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not at the White House but on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Syria tells UN it will grant aid access via Bab al-Hawa The announcement comes two days after the UN Security Council failed to reauthorize its vital cross-border aid operation into Syria. Syria
US, Russia clash over UN's aid lifeline to Syria Ahead of the vote, UN humanitarian leaders are urging the Security Council to keep open “any and all avenues” to deliver aid to Syrians in need. Syria
Canada, Ukraine take case against Iran for downed plane to UN court Iran recently sentenced members of the armed forces to prison for their role in shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 in 2020, but Canada, Ukraine and other countries whose citizens died in the incident continue to reject Iran’s handling of the matter. Iran
Syria’s rebel-held northwest receives first UN aid convoy since earthquake UN aid has not entered northwest Syria since the earthquake that hit the region in February left millions suffering in devastating humanitarian conditions. Syria
After quitting over 'anti-Israel bias,' US to rejoin UNESCO to counter China The United States is seeking readmission to UNESCO, the cultural heritage agency that former President Donald Trump quit over alleged anti-Israel bias. Israel
Lebanon's Hezbollah denies links to suspects in killing of UN Irish peacekeeper Hezbollah officials have denied court findings that five people formally accused of killing an Irish soldier of the UNIFIL last year were members of Hezbollah. Lebanon
