Ankara warns Hifter to lay off Turkish assets in Libya Threats are escalating between Turkey and Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter, and Moscow seems to be egging them on despite its calls for a ceasefire. Turkey
Iraqi prime minister stresses PMU should be Iraqi institution under state authority Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is seeking to reorganize the Popular Mobilization Units under the framework of the PMU law. Iraq
UN-backed forces in Libya launch airstrikes as Hifter withdraws The Government of National Accord has struck the rebel commander’s stronghold for his western operations, destroying two military vehicles. Libya
Venezuela military will escort Iranian fuel tankers to shore Venezuela feels threatened by US opposition to its economic ties with Iran. United States
Israeli schoolgirls in 'shorts rebellion' against sexist dress code Israeli girls are protesting over instructions banning female students from coming to school wearing shorts. Israel
Criticism mounts in Iraqi Kurdistan over unpaid teacher salaries Teachers say the Kurdish government is not paying on time and want their salaries to come from Baghdad, but Kurdish authorities point to a budget dispute with the federal government. Iraq
Palestinian leaders' confused messaging over next steps with Israel Some say President Mahmoud Abbas' announcement that the Palestinian Authority is ending agreements with Israel is nothing but a leap in the dark, while PA officials stress that the decision represents the beginning of a new phase. Palestine
The Takeaway: Netanyahu counts on Trump for legacy on West Bank settlement annexation Highlights: Arab Joint List in the wilderness; Israel-Iran cyberwar heats up; Gulf states reconsider megaproject; the Saudi VAT and GCC integration; two new Al-Monitor podcasts! Originals
Intel: Houthis continue to detain Baha’i prisoners despite promise to release them The political head of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, Mehdi al-Mashat, vowed to release six Baha’i prisoners during a lengthy televised address in March. Two months later, multiple sources have confirmed to Al-Monitor that the Yemeni rebels have failed to follow through and that all six prisoners remain behind bars. Yemen
Intel: US rescinds ban on British defense firm implicated in Saudi weapons fraud The US State Department is rescinding a 9-year-old policy that barred it from doing business with the Saudi subsidiary of a British defense firm, which pled guilty to fraud in a multibillion-dollar arms deal in 2010. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s judiciary sentences couple to death over corruption The long arm of the Iranian law has reached the “sultan of cars” and his wife, last in a line of market manipulators sent to the gallows. Iran
Intel: Top adviser signals Biden would keep troops in Syria as leverage Under a Joe Biden presidency, the United States would retain a military presence in northeast Syria as leverage against the regime, the presumptive Democratic nominee’s top foreign policy adviser suggests. Syria
Two men arrested in US for allegedly helping Carlos Ghosn flee Japan The former Nissan executive fled Japan for his native Lebanon while on bail following being charged with financial crimes. Lebanon
Top admiral's resignation rattles Turkey The demotion and then resignation of the chief of staff of the Turkish navy, Rear Adm. Cihat Yayci, has led to questions whether the Turkish government is distancing itself from Euroasianist figures to mend ties with its Western partners. Turkey
US, allies press Russia to allow UN aid to Syria from Iraq Though the United States and allied countries are working to convince Russia to reopen a border crossing between Iraq and Syria to UN humanitarian aid, Moscow could not only refuse but block aid through other points. Syria
Intel: US sanctions Iran’s interior minister over deadly protests The United States slapped fresh sanctions and visa restrictions on 12 Iranian officials and entities, most accused of serious human rights abuses, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday. United States
