Taliban victory in Afghanistan could inspire terrorists, armed groups throughout Middle East There are increasing reports of foreign jihadist fighters in Afghanistan. Iraq
Top Sunni cleric laments Iran's discrimination against minorities In his scathing criticism, Mawlawi Abdul-Hamid also recognized the ongoing protests in Khuzestan province, which in his view, should not be reduced to the water crisis. Iran
Poll finds Americans split on Biden's handling of Gaza war A University of Maryland poll finds that Americans are also split on whether Israelis and Palestinians were responsible. News Brief
Fighting between government, rebels intensifies in Syria's Daraa The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said eight government-affiliated forces and three opposition fighters died in the clashes Thursday. Syria
Senator urges aid freeze to Egypt amid human rights abuses Sen. Chris Murphy urged the Biden administration not to bypass US law with this year's military aid package to Cairo. Washington Pulse
Tunisian presidency fires head of state TV, other top officials The firing comes days after Tunisian President Kais Saied announced he was sacking the prime minister and suspending parliament. North Africa
US sanctions on Turkey-backed Syria faction offer solace to Kurdish victims It remains to be seen what practical and immediate effect Wednesday's sanctions will have. Syria
Half a million children in Lebanon still 'struggling to survive' after Beirut blast A new report from Save the Children found the families of 564,000 children can't afford sufficient food and other basic goods. Lebanon
Secular Turks mock government’s appropriation of care-free lifestyles in Istanbul promo video The negative responses highlight what secular members of Turkish society perceive as the government’s interference in their lifestyle choices. Turkey
Blinken: Iran nuclear talks ‘cannot go on indefinitely’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken's comments came as negotiations over the landmark accord remain stalled. Iran
Forest fires rage in Lebanon, Syria and Turkey At least four people were killed in the fires. Lebanon
Will Erdogan’s Afghan gambit pay off in Washington? The general impression is that Ankara’s commitment to protect Kabul airport is only aimed at winning favor with Washington. Turkey
Is Tunisia’s fragile democracy under threat? In the midst of stifling political, health and economic crises, Tunisian President Kais Saied decided to sack the prime minister and suspend parliament in a move some described as a “coup.” Tunisia
Syrian jihadi group in Idlib boasts about new, advanced weapons Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader has recently boasted about his group’s growing weapons arsenal and military capabilities, as the Syrian government forces escalate their attacks on Idlib. Syria
Iraq-US strategic dialogue divides anti-US groups in Iraq The recent strategic dialogue talks between Iraq and the United States have divided anti-US groups in Iraq, as some welcome the results of the dialogue and others reject it and ask for full US withdrawal from Iraq. Iraq
Fourth coronavirus wave in Israel rattles Bennett’s leadership New Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is challenged by his own ministers over the management of the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Israel
