Iran infuriated as Charlie Hebdo reprints 'sacrilegious' cartoons Iranian officials are expressing rage at a provocative rerunning of cartoon portrayals of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, but have refrained from calling for retaliation or issuing death fatwas. Iran
More than 2,000 US troops to leave Iraq in September, CENTCOM says CENTCOM head formally announces long-awaited reduction of US forces in Iraq. Iraq
Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize following Israel-UAE deal A right-wing Norwegian politician made the nomination, but Trump is not necessarily likely to win it. Originals
Cairo’s downtown slow revival amid efforts to restore architectural heritage The collapse of an old building in downtown Cairo has shed light on the state of historic buildings in the area, while heritage preservation is the focus of various projects. Egypt
Egypt, Cyprus focus on natural gas pipeline amid tensions in eastern Mediterranean At a time when tensions are on the rise in the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt and Cyprus are intensifying talks to start building an offshore gas pipeline from the Aphrodite gas field to Cairo in preparation for re-export to Europe. Egypt
Gaza factions say Hamas cut them out of deal with Israel Hamas’ abrupt announcement of a Qatari-brokered deal with Israel to contain the escalation in Gaza was met with doubts as some parties complained of being left out of the talks. Palestine
Intel: Iran claims it found agents behind Natanz nuclear explosion Saboteurs responsible for the July 2 explosion at Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility have been identified, said a senior Iranian energy official as reported by the country's semi-official state media outlet, Fars News Agency. Iran
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Putin’s Syria Strategy and the US presidential election Andrew Parasiliti
Israeli, UAE politicians to visit White House for agreement ceremony The United Arab Emirates and Israel agreed to establish relations in late August. The UAE is only the third country in the Arab world to recognize Israel, and Donald Trump is talking up the issue during the US elections. Originals
US sanctions two former Lebanese ministers over Hezbollah links The Treasury Department blacklisted Yusuf Finyanus and Ali Hassan Khalil over alleged corruption and dealings with Hezbollah. Lebanon
Tehran Stock Exchange: The end of an illusion Many Iranian investors have recently seen the value of their portfolios drop significantly due to governmental overregulation in times of market growth. Iran
Iraqi Kurdistan president carries conciliatory message from Baghdad to Ankara Iraqi Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani carried a conciliatory message from Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi to Ankara. Iraq
Khashoggi murder trial in Riyadh lacked accountability, UN rights office says A court in Riyadh Monday jailed eight people over the 2018 murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia
Chad rumored to consider opening mission in Jerusalem A source within the delegation that arrived Tuesday from Chad said his country would be willing to open a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, though Chad's Foreign Ministry denied having any plans to do so. Israel
Russia enters EastMed fray, offers to mediate with Turkey As Turkey bemoans its loneliness in a bitter row with Greece over energy exploration in the Mediterranean Sea, Moscow says it is ready to step in to mediate talks. Turkey