Can Trump secure release of all US hostages in Iran? Another prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States seems possible after two in just six months, but the previous exchanges have not generated any mutual trust. United States
Iraq summons Turkey, Iran as operations against Kurdish groups continue Turkey cites past agreements for its operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party in Iraq, while Iran is also targeting Kurdish groups in the country. Iraq
Netanyahu considers fourth elections, but ultra-Orthodox object Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be considering going to fourth elections, but his ultra-Orthodox allies won’t hear of that. Israel
UN nuclear watchdog urges Iran to allow inspections of old sites The watchdog agency's board hadn't issued a formal rebuke of Iran since 2012. Iran
Sexual threat against HDP leader’s wife backfires as Turks rally around women A threatening tweet against a jailed Kurdish opposition leader’s wife has Turkey up in arms against the patriarchal mindset that threatens women with sexual violence. Turkey
UAE camel racing to resume following a five-month hiatus The United Arab Emirates announced the resumption of camel racing, coupled with precautionary guidelines, which is among the most popular sports in the Gulf with prizes sometimes reaching millions of dollars. United Arab Emirates
Israeli security chiefs warn that annexation could ignite the West Bank Israel’s security chiefs are presenting the political echelons all the options and grim scenarios of what could happen if annexation takes place. Palestine
Egypt takes Nile dam dispute to UN Security Council Egypt has asked the UN Security Council to weigh in on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam after tripartite negotiations with Ethiopia and Sudan faltered. Egypt
Yazidis still negotiating return of kidnapped women, children In the absence of local and international authorities, the Yazidis continue buying back their kidnapped women and children. Iraq
Iraqi protesters set sights on local governors Protesters in Iraq are demanding that provincial governors be sacked and the killers of demonstrators be found and prosecuted. Iraq
Intel: Democrats condemn US broadcasting CEO’s Middle East purges after expanding office’s powers President Donald Trump’s new CEO of the US Agency for Global Media on Wednesday fired the heads of at least three of its outlets who collectively oversaw its Middle East and Iran coverage. The move sparked immediate condemnation from key Democrats despite their previous bipartisan support for expanding the CEO’s powers. Congress
Egypt says dam negotiations with Ethiopia make 'little progress' Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have been discussing Ethiopia's planned filling of its dam on the Blue Nile River all month, but an agreement has yet to be reached. Egypt
Syrian torture victims file complaint in Germany over prison sex abuse The criminal complaint accuses nine high-ranking Syrian officials of various sexual and gender-based crimes. Syria
Intel: Bolton says Trump sought to drop charges against Turkish bank at Erdogan’s behest President Donald Trump allegedly sought to convince the Justice Department to drop charges against Turkey’s Halkbank at the request of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, The Wall Street Journal reported in an overview of former national security adviser John Bolton’s tell-all book. Turkey
Under pressure, pro-Kurdish party holds democracy rally in Istanbul Despite a ban on protests, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party held a demonstration in Istanbul Thursday following removal of two deputies from Turkey’s parliament. Turkey
Rockets hit Baghdad's Green Zone again A series of such attacks is happening as the United States and Iraq discuss the future of the US military presence in the country. Iraq
