Biden announces end to US combat mission in Iraq Following a White House meeting today between US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the two side announced an agreement that the US combat mission in Iraq will end by Dec. 31, 2021. Iraq
US and Iran to play in basketball at Tokyo Olympics Some Iranians have played basketball in the United States and there is an American on Iran's national team, despite poor relations between the two governments. News Brief
Iraq's military disputes militia claim about drone attack The Imam Ali Division militia claimed two drones attacked one of its storage facilities near Najaf. Iraq
Sunshine-rich Gulf slow to adapt solar, clean energy The share of renewables in Gulf states’ electricity generation is marginal, and the region still utilizes fossil-fuel driven power grids, but the potential for clean energy is substantial. Gulf
US 'concerned' by Tunisia turmoil, no determination if 'coup' underway White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that the administration will wait for the State Department to conduct a legal analysis before determining whether the situation in Tunisia constitutes a coup. Tunisia
Sudanese judoka refuses to face Israeli opponent Some athletes in the Middle East and North Africa face domestic pressures to refuse to face Israelis in competition. News Brief
Israeli woman who crossed into Syria handed 8-month jail sentence The unidentified woman was released in February in a swap deal reportedly brokered by Syria's main ally Russia. News Brief
Al-Azhar sheikh demands 'serious action' on climate change The leading Sunni Muslim religious authority's comments followed floods in Turkey and scorching temperatures in Iraq, among other issues. News Brief
Turkish officials condemn Tunisian 'coup' but keep it measured While AKP officials have denounced the Tunisian president's sacking of the prime minister and suspension of parliament as a "coup," Ankara’s language was markedly less incendiary than when Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi overthrew the country’s popularly elected president in 2013. Turkey
Iran's parliament suspends controversial internet bill Iran's parliament has decided to temporarily suspend a controversial bill that would block Iranians from major social media websites. Iran
Former PM Najib Mikati named Lebanon's prime minister-designate President Michel Aoun designated Mikati after the wealthy businessman secured the backing of a majority of lawmakers. Lebanon
Israel retaliates against the launch from Gaza of incendiary balloons Israel launches airstrikes on Gaza in response to incendiary balloon attacks, which have been occurring since the May cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Palestine
Tunisian police storm Al Jazeera's offices amid political upheaval Following President Kais Saied's suspension of parliament, Tunisian troops on Monday prevented the parliament speaker from entering the building. Tunisia
Militias call for revenge against Sunni town over suicide attacks in Baghdad The suicide attack on the Shiite-dominated Sadr City district of Baghdad on July 19 that killed at least 35 people has led some pro-Iran militias to demand vengeance against Sunnis near Baghdad. Iraq
Bedouins excluded from Israel’s high-tech industry Israelis who are employed by high-tech companies live a comfortable life, which Bedouin youths can only dream of. Israel
Iran's Revolutionary Guards dig tunnels in city of Palmyra Syrian opposition sources report that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is digging trenches in the city of Palmyra to reinforce the group's presence in the area. Syria
