Deadly attacks stoke KDP-PKK tensions in Iraqi Kurdistan Turkish Kurdish militants entrenched in Iraqi Kurdistan face mounting calls to leave the region after the killing of six members of the Iraqi Kurdish armed forces. Turkey
Amid nuclear talks, Iran says 6.5kg of uranium enriched to 60% Iranian government spokesperson Ali Rabiei made the announcement as world powers met in Vienna for the latest round of talks aimed at restoring the landmark nuclear accord. Iran
Republican senators ask Biden's UN rep to highlight Houthi rights abuses Some Houthi officials in Yemen have already been sanctioned by the United States and the United Nations this year. United States
Gaza-Israel conflict puts spotlight on Qataris of Palestinian descent Qataris whose ancestors fled Palestine hastily decades ago speak up following the deadliest violence in years between Israelis and Palestinians. Gulf
Does hard-line front-runner for Iran's president have foreign policy plan? Although Ebrahim Raisi has been generally mum about his potential foreign policy focus, some recent comments offer clues to the approach his administration could take if he wins the elections June 18. Iran
Ultra-Orthodox jump in Netanyahu's lifeboat After years of political partnership with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ultra-Orthodox are sticking with him all the way to the opposition. Israel
First mission of Bennett-Lapid government to mobilize US support One of the first tasks of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is to find a way to work with the administration of US President Joe Biden. Israel
Egypt struggles to reconcile Hamas, Palestinian Authority Egypt postponed a highly anticipated meeting between Palestinian factions to avoid failure, as Cairo recently came out as a major regional player after brokering the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Palestine
Will new Red Sea airport spark development on Egypt-Sudan border? With the opening of a new international airport in the Red Sea, residents of the disputed Halayeb and Shalateen region are hoping the government will step up development efforts. Egypt
All-women's cafe in opposition-held Idlib stirs controversy Syria’s northwestern city of Idlib, which is under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, witnessed the opening of its first female coffee shop in what some deemed a type of discrimination against women. Others saw it as an outlet for women to escape the prevailing patriarchy in the Syrian opposition areas. Syria
Erdogan’s meeting with Biden more spin than substance The two leaders' first meeting as heads of state led to detailed discussions, but there were no breakthroughs. Turkey
Migrants found dead off Yemen's Red Sea coast after boat capsizes The bodies were found near Ras Al-Ara, a coastal village in the southern Yemeni province that's known as a smuggling hub. Yemen
Egypt's top court upholds death sentences of 12 Brotherhood figures The defendants were part of a mass trial of supporters of former President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Saudi Arabia allows women to register for hajj without male guardian Women can register "along with other women" for the Islamic pilgrimage this year. News Brief
Canadian parliament calls on government to repatriate citizens from northeast Syria Few Canadians have been brought home from camps for Islamic State families in northeast Syria, and many remain there. News Brief
Lapid vows to mend ties with Democrats, change 'reckless' Netanyahu policies Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has vowed to return to a bipartisan approach toward the United States. Israel
