Analysis Broken dams, broken trust: How Iran’s water crisis and heatwave have sparked emergency Water and electricity shortages are reaching crisis levels across Iran, triggering widespread public service disruptions and forcing industrial closures. As reservoirs rapidly deplete and rolling blackouts increase, mismanagement and delayed reforms are being laid bare. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Turkey gives drought-stricken Iraq more water in boost to PM Sudani The agreement is expected to ease tensions and advance a joint infrastructure project linking Iraq’s Faw port to Turkey. Turkey
Exodus, shortages and strikes: Tehran reels under weight of Israel-Iran war Israeli strikes on Tehran have continued, prompting evacuation warnings, creating fuel and internet disruptions, and adding to the growing number of residents who are fleeing the capital. Iran
Analysis Against Ethiopia, Egypt courts East African states over Nile dam dispute Tensions over a wide range of issues, including Ethiopia’s ambitions for Red Sea access, are likely to worsen the dispute with Egypt over Addis Ababa’s controversial dam on the Nile River. By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics
Analysis How climate change, dams are fueling Iran-Afghanistan water disputes By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis First in 30 years: How Allenby Bridge attack could upend Jordan-Israel ties By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Egypt inaugurates dams in Uganda Seven dams and 27 underground wells were inaugurated by Egypt in Uganda alongside a large number of projects that serve to improve the quality of drinking water and provide water for agriculture. Egypt
The Takeaway: Israel’s military threats shadow Iran nuclear talks Erdogan digs in on lira; Egypt, Ethiopia tensions rise again over Nile Dam; Assassins "carefully planned" attack on Iraqi PM; Iraqi Shiite scholars ponder post-Sistani era; Children become breadwinners in besieged Idlib; The return of Mohammed Ali Pasha’s palace … all in less than 1,200 words. Israel
Iran's crackdown risks blinding protesters Amid rising alarm about protesters held incommunicado, medics and activists fear injury and even permanent blindness from birdshot fired by security forces. Iran
New Egyptian-Ethiopian escalation over Nile dam Ethiopia has announced that it will soon finish construction work on the GERD, while Egypt has warned of the consequences of not reaching an agreement in the latest escalation between the two countries. Egypt
Iran riot police 'forcibly' sweep water protest site During the pre-dawn raid in the city of Esfahan, baton-wielding security forces set protest tents on fire and pushed farmers out of the dried river basin, the site of more than two weeks of public demonstrations. Iran
Jordanian public unhappy with Israeli water deal The sudden decision by Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to sign a declaration of intent to trade clean electricity for water has produced public opposition despite the fact that Jordan badly needs to add to its water supply due to the increase in population from the regional violence. Jordan
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear talks resume next week — What you need to know Turkish lira crisis hits Syria; Saudi, Syrian intel chiefs talk; Netflix drama evokes memories for Izmir’s Jews; Oman bets on logistics; Egypt, Tanzania deepen ties; Gaza’s women skateboarders — all in less than 1,500 words. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Drought parches Idlib governorate Drought has dried up the Duwaisat Dam reservoir, west of Idlib, hitting farmers hard. Syria
Water protests spread in Iran Farmers in a second province in Iran protest the water crisis in their region. Iran
Egypt weighs impact of Ethiopia's civil war The civil war further threatens Ethiopia as Tigray forces threaten to advance toward Abbis Ababa. Egypt
Egypt coordinates with Tanzania as Ethiopian dam negotiations paused Egypt ramps up coordination efforts with Tanzania amid fading hopes of resuming GERD negotiations. Egypt
Ethiopian civil war adds to uncertainty, tension over Nile Dam dispute The political tension that was born in Ethiopia after a number of ethnic nationalities forged an alliance to topple the Abiy Ahmed government is raising many questions about the fate of the regional conflict over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt