Intel: US engages Turkey over Kabul airport security Ankara could leave some troops in Afghanistan if Washington provides support. U.S.
Rouhani praises Putin, hails expanded ties with Russia Rouhani's expression of gratitude came a few weeks after his foreign minister was caught in a leaked audio, complaining about Russian attempts to put a spike in the wheel of the 2015 multilateral talks that culminated in the Iran nuclear deal. Iran
Bahraini prisoner's death from COVID-19 prompts protests Husain Barakat received China's Sinopharm vaccine but died anyway after contracting the coronavirus in prison. Gulf
Amnesty protests as Israel shuts down Palestinian health organization Israel has previously accused employees of the Palestinian Health Work Committees of links to a Palestinian terror group. Palestine
Russia looks for way back into Yemen Moscow appears to be making some tentative steps for a deeper engagement in the Yemen war. Russia
Turkey accused of abducting Gulen-affiliated school teacher in Kyrgyzstan In Kyrgyzstan, a Turkish educator missing since May 31 has rights groups warning of another illegal rendition by the Turkish government. Turkey
Al Jazeera cyberattacked ahead of show on Palestinian 'resistance' The Qatari media giant said it was able to thwart the hacking attempts, which came just ahead of the airing of a series about Gaza-based militant groups. News Brief
At his weakest moment, Erdogan to meet Biden The forthcoming Erdogan-Biden meeting on June 14 comes at a time when Erdogan is experiencing his weakest term in his very long reign. Turkey
Palestinian officers killed in West Bank firefight with undercover Israeli forces The two Palestinian officers opened fire on the undercover Israeli forces, reportedly unaware they were conducting a terrorism raid. Israel
Pro-Iran Iraqi militias increasingly fragmented since Suleimani assassination Internal disputes are emerging within pro-Iran factions in the PMU, a year and a half after the killing of the former IRGC Quds Force leader Qasim Sulaimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. By Mustafa Saadoun
PA cracks down on West Bank activists After the cease-fire in Gaza, Palestinian security services are accused of stepping up political arrests in the West Bank. Palestine
Despite blockage crisis, Suez Canal achieves record revenues The Egyptian government announced that the Suez Canal has achieved the highest monthly revenue in its history in April, exceeding half a billion dollars, despite obstruction of navigation in late March after a giant vessel went aground on the international waterway. Egypt
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox go to opposition, furious with PM-designate Relegated to the opposition benches and about to lose both budgets and political influence, the ultra-Orthodox parties are angrily attacking Prime Minister-designate Naftali Bennett. Israel
Egypt expands role in Iraqi reconstruction by building bridges in Mosul Egypt is seeking to expand its participation in the reconstruction of Iraq amid a growing alliance between Baghdad, Amman and Cairo. Egypt
Iran's hard-liners take page from China's election playbook Iran's hard-liners have long been disillusioned with a system in which all citizens are encouraged to vote. Iran
China-Iran cooperation goes slow in context of nuclear talks Beijing and Tehran are deepening ties across sectors, but progress will depend on the Vienna talks and Iran’s elections. Iran