Facebook closes accounts linked to Kurdish intelligence in Iraq The accounts were linked to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and targeted its rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Syria’s Kurdish-led alliance sweeps Deir ez-Zor for Islamic State sleeper cells A Syrian Democratic Forces operation dubbed "Deterring Terrorism" nets 17 Islamic State suspects in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province. Syria
COVID-19 compounds economic crises in Yemen, Jordan, Palestine Recent reports signal conditions going from bad to worse. Yemen
Saudi Arabia puts Jeddah under 15-day curfew after virus spike Beginning Saturday, residents of Jeddah must adhere to a curfew from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saudi Arabia
Turkish soccer gears up for return, haunted by financial woes Turkey’s debt-ridden soccer industry is likely to grow more desperate for government support under the bruising impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Turkey
Turkey's Erodgan cancels weekend curfew despite spike in cases Hours after his government announced a weekend curfew for 15 major cities, a public backlash forced Turkey's president to call off the movement restrictions. Turkey
Iran dismisses Trump’s offer for talks US President Donald Trump’s latest effort to get Iran to renegotiate the nuclear deal he withdrew from was met with rejection in Tehran. United States
Intel: Pompeo discusses Libya truce with Abu Dhabi's crown prince Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed the need for Libya’s warring parties to cease hostilities during a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, which backs Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Key Republican questions Pentagon’s proposed military training program The Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is pushing back on a Pentagon proposal to train foreign military officers from the Middle East and elsewhere, arguing that it unnecessarily replicates an existing program run by the State Department. United States
Iraq still committed to energy ties with Saudi Arabia, Gulf states despite Iran electricity deal Iraq has signed an agreement with Iran to continue importing gas and electricity for two years. Saudi Arabia
French president demands Iran release anthropologist dual citizen Emmanuel Macron made the comments on the one-year anniversary of Fariba Adelkah's imprisonment. Iran
Iran demanded Florida doctor in exchange for Michael White Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says the Iranians conditioned White's freedom on Majid Taheri's release. United States
How Lebanese banks can restore customers’ confidence Amid reports that the Lebanese government plans to merge and liquidate some banks, citizens are concerned about their deposits while the economic situation continues to deteriorate. Lebanon
Palestinians reveal Israeli alternatives to two-state solution Palestinians seem to be caught between a rock and a hard place with Israel’s shifting away from a two-state solution and the diminishing chances of such an option after the announcement of the US Middle East peace plan. Palestine
Is Islamic State making a comeback in Sinai? A researcher says repeated attacks by Islamic militants in Sinai show that Egyptian forces must be ever vigilant. Egypt
Netanyahu’s dilemma over his annexation plan Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must now decide whether he wants to go ahead with his annexation plan, or hope that the White House will get him out of it. Palestine
