Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel orders strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs Netanyahu orders strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut after rockets and drones hit northern Israel. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Iran oil shock jolts Libya’s fortunes, but old fault lines complicate national recovery Soaring energy prices due to the Iran war are delivering a windfall to Libya just as the country's oil and gas sectors show signs of resurgence. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis US, Turkey boost Libya coordination, but unity push faces political hurdles Washington and Ankara are stepping up coordination on efforts to unify Libya’s divided institutions, but analysts warn that major financial and political obstacles remain. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Oil eases as Trump pauses Iran strikes After days of threats and brinkmanship, Washington and Tehran hint at diplomacy as Trump suspends planned military action. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Italy, Spain eye Algerian gas as Iran war slashes Gulf supplies By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis Libya’s oil revival powers on despite shaky investment thesis By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Why these Tunisian border towns have become IS recruitment hotspots The trying economic situations in Tunisia’s border towns have pushed some of their young residents to join terrorist networks, while others seek illegal immigration via the sea to Europe. Libya
Egypt to focus on cooperation with Italy After months of a quid-pro-quo attitude between Egypt and Italy, Egypt's legislators have decided to use a carrot instead of a stick to resolve ill will over the slaying of Italian student Giulio Regeni. Egypt
The real reason the EU can't stop human smuggling from Libya The EU’s Operation Sophia has so far failed to stop the smuggling of people from Africa to Europe, as the problem lies in Libya's tenuous government. Libya
Is General Hifter becoming Putin's man in Libya? Despite some speculation, Gen. Khalifa Hifter's sudden visit to Moscow says less about impending arms deals than about Russia's long-term strategy in Libya and the region. Libya
Is Tunisia prepared for return of thousands of Islamic State fighters? Thousands of Islamic State fighters are expected to return to Tunisia, where the authorities are uncertain how to deal with the risk they may pose. Iraq
Shocking murders expose Libyan government's weakness Twelve men were killed in Tripoli upon their release from prison, raising questions about relations between the Government of National Accord and militias. Libya
Obama administration lays out $56 million plan for Libya The United States is boosting its commitment to the new coalition government in Libya. Libya
Why Turkey is making a return to Libya Given economic troubles at home, it is no surprise that Ankara has decided to reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, which had been closed since 2014. Turkey
Will Arab-American voters rally around Clinton? Arab-Americans tend to vote Democratic in presidential elections, but will the community coalesce around Hillary Clinton despite the attraction of Bernie Sanders’ views on the Middle East? Palestine
Is the West about to repeat its mistakes in Libya? During a recent meeting in Vienna, world powers supported the newly created Presidential Guard of Libya, not taking into account who this force is made up of — mainly militias that have committed crimes after the Libyan revolution. Libya
How Libyans are reviving their heritage, one building at a time In the absence of a strong central government, Libya’s historical religious and cultural sites are being destroyed and looted by militias and Salafists alike. Libya
Will Russian arms soon start flowing to Libya? Moscow reports that it's ready with military aid for Libya's unity government as soon as the arms embargo is lifted, but Tripoli must include Gen. Khalifa Hifter and the Libyan National Army in the political process for that to happen. Libya