COVID-19 cases increasingly rapidly in northeast Syria The Kurdish-led autonomous region's high population of displaced people and isolation following the UN closure of a border crossing is contributing to the virus' spread. Syria
Turkey’s tilt toward Pakistan provokes India’s ire An Indian intelligence reports sees Turkey as becoming a hub for anti-India activities second only to Pakistan. Turkey
Turkey plans new naval drills in eastern Mediterranean The Turkish navy will hold live-fire exercises in the eastern Mediterranean next week amid rising tensions with Greece. Turkey
Pompeo makes final stop in Oman amid Israel deal push Oman has been floated as a possible next country to normalize ties with Israel. United Arab Emirates
Is Erdogan trying to split NATO with his East Med gambit? Confronted with various problems at home, including deepening financial woes, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan resorts to aggressive and expansionist foreign policy moves to consolidate his support base through fueling nationalism. Turkey
Netanyahu facing settlers' anger over UAE agreement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dealing with blowback from settlers over both the agreement reached with the United Arab Emirates and the suspension of the annexation plan. Israel
How much does Erdogan’s 'coercive diplomacy' benefit Turkey? If mishandled, Turkey’s threats of military action could trigger an uncontrolled escalation, leaving Ankara facing difficult choices. Turkey
Who is benefiting from Russian-Turkish patrols in northwest Syria? Many in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib see no benefits to the joint Russian-Turkish patrols conducted under a demilitarization deal, as the Syrian regime sporadically attacks the area and managed to take several areas since the deal was reached in September 2018. Syria
UN convoy hit by explosion in northern Iraq The convoy was being operated by the World Food Program. Iraq
US troops injured after encounter with Russian vehicle in Syria The US called the incident with Russia in northeast Syria a "breach of deconfliction protocols." Syria
Iran agrees on UN inspector access to suspected ex-nuclear sites The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran said in a joint statement that inspectors will have access to two suspected former nuclear sites. United States
Palestinian man arrested for allegedly helping Irish nationalist group The man's lawyer said the accused doctor from the West Bank is involved in peaceful activism and was entrapped by British intelligence. Palestine
Turkish airstrikes rile Iraqi street Turkey's continuing airstrikes and other military aggression in northern Iraq are increasing tensions and expanding instability in the region. Iraq
The Takeaway: Dermer on Iran nuclear deal: ‘We have been the guinea pigs in this failed experiment' Israel’s ambassador to the US Ron Dermer describes a different approach to nuclear diplomacy with Iran; will Israel oppose US F-35 sale to UAE?; Turkey shuts off water to Syrian Kurds again; increased risks of escalation in Syria; two cool things from Gaza! Israel
How Mediterranean standoff complicates Turkey's natural gas agenda Too many factors — especially tensions with Greece — are at play to determine whether recent gas discovery in the Black Sea will translate into massive commercial and political gains for Ankara. Turkey
Pompeo floats ending Sudan's terror designation amid push for Israel ties Sudan's leaders have urged the United States to remove their country from a list of state sponsors of terrorism that also includes North Korea, Iran and Syria. Israel
