Libya extradites top terrorist to Egypt The Libyan National Army has handed convicted terrorist Hisham Ashmawi over to Egypt in what security officials call a major blow to terrorism in the region. Egypt
Scorn for US peace plan brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is calling for a Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue to counter the US peace plan, an approach welcomed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Palestine
Turkish diplomats swept up in wave of arrests report torture Evidence is piling up that many of the dozens of former Turkish diplomats recently rounded up and jailed were tortured, and the timing of the crackdown has raised speculation that the government is attempting to intimidate purged officials. Turkey
Is Russia replacing the US in the peace process? Russia is considering a draft convention exempting Palestinian diplomats from obtaining a Russian entry visa. Palestine
Khamenei sees 'ploy' in Trump outreach, says 'deal of century' will fail In three speeches in less than 24 hours, Iran's supreme leader launched fresh attacks against the Trump administration, slamming its "deal of the century" for the Middle East conflict and dismissing Washington’s latest outreach to Tehran as a "ploy." U.S.
Iran plays Pakistan, China against India as Modi turns to Trump India’s apparent decision to go along with the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran could negatively impact its relationship with Tehran, including in regard to the Chabahar port project. U.S.
What is Russia's strategy in Idlib? Russia is playing the long game with Turkey in the battle for the Syrian provence of Idlib. Syria
New Diyarbakir mayor backs opposition candidate in Istanbul election rerun The new HDP mayor of Diyarbakir calls for a Kurdish vote against the AKP in Istanbul's mayoral election rerun and says his AKP predecessor has left Diyarbakir in the poorhouse. Turkey
Could retired Maj. Gen. Golan save Israel’s Labor Party? Former Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Golan is a breath of fresh air in Israeli politics, bringing a clear worldview and showing no interest in ingratiating himself with the soft right in order to win a few more votes. Israel
Does Israel’s Blue and White party need to change leaders? Ahead of the new Sept. 17 elections, the Blue and White party must decide which leadership configuration is most likely to bring victory. Israel
Iran’s hard-liners take aim at conservative former judiciary chief Under fire from hard-line foes, Expediency Council chairman Sadegh Amoli Larijani appears to be gearing further to the right — but such maneuvering appears bound to fail. Iran
Iranian public outrage forces 'correction' of kindergarten directive Amid widespread public outrage, Iranian authorities had to revise an official order that sought to ban religious minorities from teaching at government-run kindergartens. Iran
Syria's territorial divisions complicate reconstruction Russia's efforts toward the reconstruction of Syria are hindered by the inherent challenges in the territorial fragmentation of the country. Syria
Iraq electricity minister: US will continue exemptions for Iranian electricity imports Iraqi Minister of Electricity Luay al-Khatteeb told Al-Monitor that US exemptions in the energy sector will continue amid tensions in US-Iran relations. Saudi Arabia
What Israel would look like if more students learned Arabic Israel is situated in the heart of the Arab world, yet it fails to encourage the study of Arabic, except in a military context. Israel
Trump, Pompeo give new priority to diplomacy with Iran While many see a shift in tone rather than substance, the diplomatic channel seems to be heating up. U.S.