Apathy shadows Iran vote but that doesn’t mean change won’t follow Even if hard-liner Ebrahim Raisi wins, reviving the nuclear deal with the West could gain traction. Iran
Israel again bombs Hamas targets in Gaza as fire balloons continue The flare-up could threaten last month's cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. News Brief
Kuwait to allow vaccinated travelers entry beginning August 1 The Gulf country also loosened travel restrictions on Kuwaiti citizens. Kuwait
Iranians set to vote for president amid turnout concerns After preparing everything to guarantee a victory for its preferred candidate, the ruling establishment is now attempting to draw the largely apathetic electorate to the ballot box. Iran
Turkey seeks cooperation with Egypt in Gaza Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu suggested cooperation between Ankara and Cairo on the Palestinian issue, a move seen unlikely as Cairo looks with suspicion at the Turkish role in the Palestinian territories, particularly the Gaza Strip. Egypt
US lawmakers unveil American hostage task force Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) announced the Congressional Task Force on American Hostages and Americans Wrongfully Detained Abroad, a bipartisan working group aimed at helping the families of detained US citizens. United States
General strike freezes Lebanon as economic crisis continues The country is in the throes of a harrowing economic crisis that began in 2019. News Brief
Gunman kills woman volunteering for Turkey’s pro-Kurdish party Peoples' Democratic Party deputy Garo Paylan brushed aside the gunman’s claims that his was a lone wolf attack, citing gun-toting photos of the 27-year-old attacker in Syria posted on social media. Turkey
Iranian citizens in US vote in presidential election Iranians are voting for their next president in 133 countries worldwide. Iran
Erdogan tells Biden Turkey won't change position on S-400s Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly told his US counterpart that Ankara won't soften its stance on the Russian S-400 missile systems despite sanctions imposed by Washington over the purchase. Turkey
Hundreds of migrants returned to Libya after rescue at sea The Libyan Coast Guard has intercepted and brought back thousands of people seeking to illegally enter Europe via the Mediterranean this year. North Africa
Why Turkey wants to handle security at Kabul airport Ankara’s willingness to deploy a military mission to secure Kabul’s airport raises questions about the risks it is prepared to take, what allies Turkish forces could have on the ground and what the US administration is prepared to offer in return. Turkey
Hamas tests new Israeli government by resuming incendiary balloons The so-called “night confusion units” in Gaza continue to fire incendiary balloons toward Israel. Palestine
US announces reward in targeting Iraqi militias Iraqi armed group threatens retaliation against "specific targets." Iraq
Erdogan's silent revolution seeks more than pious youth A recent report claims Turkey’s education system has become increasingly Islamist, with curriculum focusing on Islamic concepts at the expense of science and secularism. Yet it remains to be seen how effective this push will be. Turkey
