As Erdogan finesses Turkey-US ties, Pentagon reiterates stance on S-400s A Pentagon official urged Ankara to take action over its Russian-made S-400 missile acquisition after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed interest in restoring bilateral ties. Turkey
Blinken calls on UN Human Rights Council to end 'unacceptable bias against Israel' Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the Biden administration would seek full membership on the Geneva-based council. Israel
Iraqi prime minister is first among Arab leaders to receive call from US president US President Joe Biden made his first call in the Arab world to Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, expressing strong support for Iraq. Iraq
German imam sentenced to prison for helping Islamic State Abu Walaa, born in Iraq, convinced Germans to fight for the Islamic State, according to the court. Originals
German court convicts ex-Syrian regime officer in historic case Eyad al-Gharib, a former low-ranking officer in Syria's intelligence services, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. Syria
Authorities in northeast Syria struggle to impose Kurdish curriculum The Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has been sanctioning private schools and institutes in its areas of control in northeast Syria and arresting teachers for not following the Kurdish curriculum in their educational systems. Syria
Gaza welcomes child conceived through smuggled sperm from Israeli prisons A Palestinian family in the Gaza Strip has welcomed the birth of a child born through IVF after the sperm of his father who is detained in Israeli prisons was smuggled. Palestine
Lebanon’s vaccination campaign stumbles at launch As politicians skip the line to receive their coronavirus vaccine, questions arise about the quantity of vaccine doses Lebanon has and will receive and if it’s enough to inoculate the local and refugee population. Lebanon
Rise of Turkish lira is not felt by citizens in Syria’s Idlib Civilians in the areas controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in northwest Syria are reeling under exorbitant prices of goods and the lack of a strict supply control, while the Turkish lira, which is in circulation in those areas, rises against the US dollar. Syria
US generals head to Tunisia ahead of major military exercise The Pentagon aims to bolster partnerships in North Africa with the African Lion exercise this summer. Tunisia
Intel: Blinken tells Egypt that human rights are 'central' to US relationship Secretary of State Antony Blinken also expressed concern over Egypt’s planned procurement of Su-35 fighter aircraft from Russia. Egypt
Netanyahu’s friendship with Putin benefits Israel, but has limits Moscow played a central role in the release of the Israeli woman who crossed the border into Syria, but might prove less helpful on Iranian entrenchment in Syria or the Palestinian issue. Israel
RAND report advocates development over defense in the Middle East The report said US policy is outdated and has not led to security in the region. Originals
Kataib Hezbollah denies role in recent Iraq rocket attacks The high-profile, Iran-backed militia denied responsibility for attacks on US targets in Iraq. Iraq
Iran border town rattled as security forces kill fuel traders The Iranian city of Saravan is reeling after security forces shot several unemployed locals who earn a living by trading untaxed fuel across the Pakistani border. Originals
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party under pressure as calls increase for its closure The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party faces renewed pressure in Turkey amid rising calls for its closure and recent court decisions that could see one of its lawmakers removed from parliament. Turkey