Intel: Faith, civic leaders call on Biden to prioritize ending Syria's war In a letter to President Joe Biden, a group of Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders called for the administration to adopt “a resolute, diplomacy-first" policy on Syria. Syria
IRGC says Afghanistan exit a ‘lesson’ not to rely on US An official from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps says the US exit from Afghanistan is a lesson for regional leaders. Iran
Displaced Iraqis caught in middle of EU-Belarus tensions The Iraqi government is helping its displaced citizens stuck in Eastern Europe to return to Iraq. Iraq
Israeli decision to allow Palestinians to build in Area C spurs skepticism Palestinians perceive the Israeli decision to allow them to build 1,000 residential units in Area C with skepticism, as they believe it is designed to mislead the public so as to construct new settlement projects in the West Bank. Palestine
Egypt counters Turkey’s influence in Mali via Al-Azhar Egypt seeks more influence in Mali through Al-Azhar, which is organizing a training program for a number of Malian imams in a bid to counter extremism. Egypt
Egypt weighs Hifter's role in Libyan transition Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Hifter visited Cairo and met with the US ambassador to Libya at a time of heightened tensions between Hifter and the new Libyan government of national unity. Egypt
Displaced Syrian children take part in alternative Olympics camp A local rights organization in northern Syria held an Olympics competition for children living in the displaced camps across the area, in conjunction with the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Syria
Abbas turns to King Abdullah amid Palestinian succession crisis For the second time in 40 days, Mahmoud Abbas made an unusual visit to Amman on a Jordanian army helicopter. Is the visit only political or is there an attempt to get Jordan’s advice on the Palestinian succession issue? Palestine
Israel tags Hamas as 'real enemy' of Gazans as Qatari aid remains cut off Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tours the border with Gaza; Israel continues to seek guarantees that Hamas will not use money Qatar has targeted for poor Gazans for military activities. Israel
Israel's Lapid prepares for future confrontation with Netanyahu Foreign Minister Yair Lapid is consolidating his international standing, in preparation for taking over the premiership and for future confrontation with former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Syria reports new Israeli missile attack The news followed Iran's Lebanese ally Hezbollah firing rockets at Israel earlier this month. News Brief
Gulf states call for calm in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were two of the only three countries to recognize the Taliban the last time the Islamist group ruled Afghanistan. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Afghan chaos further incentive for India’s efforts to strengthen ties with Iran The recent rise of the Taliban in Kabul has expedited New Delhi's efforts to boost ties with Iran, which is positioned to be India's main corridor to Afghanistan, yet major challenges remain. Iran
Syrian Islamist opposition leader slammed for misogynist remarks Osama al-Rifai, head of the Turkish-backed Syrian Islamic Council, was criticized by secular opposition figures for his recent remarks about Syrian women. Syria
Turkey welcomes 'positive messages' from Taliban Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Turkey is now focused on safe evacuations from Kabul airport as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg praises Turkey's role in the effort. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Iran's Kabul embassy 'operational' despite Taliban takeover The statement suggested the Islamic Republic's apparent willingness to work with a new Taliban-led government as opposed to the Iranian public's fury against the extremist group's fast-paced takeover. Iran
