Intel: Progressives defend Robert Malley as Biden's possible Iran envoy Critics accuse the former Obama official of overlooking Iran's human rights record. Congress
US diplomat criticizes Russia, Turkey, UAE for intervening in Libya The comments at UN meeting continue the Biden administration's criticism of Turkish policy in the region. Libya
Cairo Eye aims to turn Egypt into global tourism hub The Egyptian government has laid the foundation stone of a massive project to build the Cairo Eye, the fifth-largest in the world, as part of efforts to boost tourism. Egypt
One of the world’s oldest churches sits in small town in the West Bank Burqin, a town in the northern West Bank, is home to one of the oldest churches in the world, the Church of the Ten Lepers, where Jesus Christ is said to have performed a miracle of healing lepers who were confined in the church’s cave. Palestine
Syrian businessman denies ties to Beirut explosives Businessman George Haswani told Reuters the accusations against him are a fabrication. Lebanon
Erdogan's man takes on mission impossible in Washington Turkey's incoming ambassador to Washington has surprised observers by being a political appointee, but his perceived direct line to the Turkish president may prove a major asset. Turkey
Iraqi security forces kill senior Islamic State commander Iraq's military said Abu Yaser al-Issawi was killed in a counterterrorism operation outside Kirkuk. Iraq
Iran reaches 20% uranium enrichment The increase in enrichment levels complicates the Biden administration's efforts to get Iran to return to compliance before reentering the Iran nuclear deal. United States
What Navalny case says about Russia’s approach in Syria The case of Russia opposition figure Alexey Navalny — and the Kremlin's reaction to his investigations — tells a lot about Moscow's approach to the conflict in Syria. Syria
Canada votes to offer citizenship to jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, whose wife and children live in Canada, is serving a 10-year jail sentence in Saudi Arabia for "insulting Islam." Saudi Arabia
Pope Francis, Shiite leader al-Sistani to meet in historic Iraq trip Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani are scheduled to meet in the Iraqi city of Najaf during the first papal visit to the country. Iraq
Iran’s FM tweets 'reality check' to US on nuclear deal Iran's foreign minister responded over Twitter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's comments regarding US reentry to the deal. United States
Deciphering Erdogan's seeming pro-West shift in foreign policy Ankara’s abrupt desire to mend fences with the West appears driven by domestic calculations, but even if its intentions are genuine, it lacks the institutional capacity to pull off such a U-turn. Turkey
Ultra-Orthodox lockdown disobedience could cost Netanyahu Angry over the ultra-Orthodox and their riots against the nationwide lockdown, Israeli voters are turning against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Palestinians welcome end of US pressure but doubt Biden will press Israel Palestinian officials welcomed recent moves by the Joe Biden administration in which he reversed some of the previous administration’s policies that were seen as strongly biased toward Israel. Palestine
Egypt calls on Russia to build desalination plants as Nile dam talks stall Egypt has recently agreed with the Russian Rusnano Group to develop its local components and build more desalination plants to face the water scarcity that could result from the Ethiopian dam being built on the Blue Nile. Egypt
