Erdogan sacks embattled university rector after months of protests Melih Bulu, the unpopular political appointee to the top post of Turkey’s prestigious Bogazici University, has finally been fired. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Iraqi Shiite leader Sadr to sit out October election Muqtada al-Sadr also said he would withdraw his support for the current government and its replacement. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi-Ethiopian relations strained by Nile dam dispute Saudia Arabia favors the downstream nations Egypt and Sudan in the yearslong Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis. By Samuel Ramani
Controversial Arab-Israeli woman appointed to Knesset security panel Labor party legislator Ibtisam Mara’ana, lambasted over allegedly supporting Palestinian assailants, was appointed this week as member of the Knesset’s prestigious foreign and security affairs committee. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Iran calls US kidnapping allegations 'Hollywood-like' The US government has accused Iran of seeking to kidnap an American journalist in New York, but the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the allegations "ridiculous." By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq takes cautious steps toward privatizing electricity sector With the increasing power cuts in Iraq, calls are mounting to expand privatization as a permanent solution. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Israel’s Lapid, Herzog out to rehabilitate Israel’s global image Newly appointed Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and President Isaac Herzog are working to boost Israel's diplomatic ties following some tensions under former PM Benjamin Netanyahu. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham kicks Chechen jihadis out of Idlib After Hayat Tahrir al-Sham told the Chechen jihadi group Jund al-Sham it could either join its ranks or leave Idlib, the group's members evacuated their military positions in the countryside of Latakia. By Sultan al-Kanj
US says nuclear talks to continue, despite alleged Iran kidnapping plot State Department spokesman Ned Price said Washington is "ready to go" ahead with talks, after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said the task of renegotiating the deal had been handed over to the next administration. By Al-Monitor Staff
Republicans in Congress criticize Iran nuclear talks following alleged Iranian kidnap plot Texas Republican Rep. Michael McCaul says, “President Biden should not enter into any deals with Iran without an end to these assaults on our citizens.” By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Turkey shrugs off Taliban warning over Kabul airport Flights to evacuate Afghan interpreters will begin by the end of July, the White House said today. By Al-Monitor Staff
Has Turkey changed its anti-Islamic State strategy? Although Turkish authorities have increased security operations against Islamic State cells in the country, Ankara’s anti-IS strategy remains riddled with gaping holes. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Talabani family feud at center of power struggle in Iraqi Kurdistan party The apparent takeover of the Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party by Bafel Talabani is more family affair than policy dispute. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
UAE opens embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv The UAE ambassador to Israel called the Abraham Accords "solid" during the historic ceremony. By Al-Monitor Staff
Five years after coup attempt, Turkey to vote on extending emergency powers Turkey's parliament is set to vote on an omnibus bill that includes measures to extend state-of-emergency powers three more years. By Diego Cupolo