Will Washington buy Ankara’s ‘drone crescent’ against Russia? Scrambling for a thaw with Washington, Ankara hopes to draw on the success of its military drones — battle-proven against Russian weaponry — to cast itself as a key partner in US efforts to contain Russia in eastern Europe and beyond. Turkey
UN expert calls on UAE to release prominent human rights defenders The five activists are accused of trying to overthrow the Emirati government, but the United Nations says they should have never been detained in the first place. United Arab Emirates
Massive Turkey-led logging in Iraqi Kurdistan causes outcry Extensive logging led by Turkey in Iraqi Kurdistan has set off an outcry, fueling the already strong anger toward the Turkish military presence in northern Iraq. Turkey
Iran to acquire Russian high-resolution recon satellite Russia is set to give Iran a satellite that could spy on Tehran's potential military targets. Russia
Israeli opposition parties finalize agreements to unseat Netanyahu The broad alliance signed deals ahead of Sunday's vote of confidence in the incoming Israeli government. Israel
Can Lapid-Bennett coalition keep it together? Eight years after an alliance was forged between Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Yamina leader Naftali Bennett, that brotherhood is getting the latter into the prime minister's seat. Israel
Israeli police close off Sheikh Jarrah in Jerusalem With concrete barriers and checkpoints, Israeli forces have closed off the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem. Palestine
Journalists recount abuse, arrest covering Jerusalem riots Journalists in Jerusalem say they have faced abuse and arrest by Israeli forces while covering the recent events there. Palestine
Egypt steps up action as threat of water scarcity looms Egypt is advancing a number of projects to address the water scarcity problem, at a time that tensions between Cairo and Addis Ababa are on the rise over the failure to reach an agreement on the operation and filling of Ethiopia’s controversial dam on the Blue Nile. Egypt
Rise in Turkish food prices sparks fears of shortages Turkey, a major agricultural producer, might find itself grappling with water shortages and food insecurity in the next decade unless it takes action to address growing problems in its agricultural sector. Turkey
Israel’s new finance minister up against ultra-Orthodox The new finance minister-to-be Avigdor Liberman pushes with all his political might to exclude the ultra-Orthodox from the new government. Israel
Did Gaza war end or rejuvenate Abbas’ presidency? With the United States and other states unwilling to work with Hamas, aid money is flowing into the Palestinian government coffers. Palestine
Who is Ebrahim Raisi, the front-runner in Iran's presidential race? Here’s what you need to know about Ebrahim Raisi, the conservative cleric seen as the heavy favorite to replace outgoing President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Rep. Omar clarifies comments on 'atrocities' by the US, Israel, Hamas and the Taliban The Democratic representative said that domestic courts are insufficient to prosecute crimes against humanity, but her reference prompted criticism from some of her Democratic House colleagues. U.S.