Biden administration calls on Syria to return missing journalist Austin Tice White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the United States is committed to "following all avenues and talking to anyone" who can help return Tice, a journalist and Marine veteran who disappeared in Syria nine years ago. Syria
Intel: US ambassador meets Libya's Hifter in Cairo The US envoy is for pushing for cooperation with Libya's planned elections in December, State Department says. Libya
Half of adults in Turkey vaccinated as COVID-19 rates surge Turkey passed a milestone Wednesday, announcing half of its adults are fully vaccinated, though COVID-19 rates remain near a three-month high, likely due to the fast-spreading Delta variant. Turkey
Death toll from Algeria's wildfires rises to 65 At least 25 soldiers died trying to extinguish the fires in Algeria’s Kabylia region. Algeria
Iran's new foreign minister may bring 'tough line' to nuclear talks Amir-Abdollahian previously served as Iran’s deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs. Iran
Etihad Airways recovers most of pre-pandemic cargo network The news followed the Abu Dhabi-based airline announcing a decrease in combined passenger and cargo revenues from last year. News Brief
New UN report on Islamic State gives Ankara another headache Security Council report red flags Uyghur diaspora in Turkey as a recruitment source for jihadi networks in Syria and Afghanistan. Turkey
Erdogan plays with fire to spur economic growth The Turkish president’s insistence on spurring growth despite mounting inflation and the risk of further dollarization is a further invitation to continued economic turmoil. Turkey
CIA chief Burns, Israel's Bennett meet to discuss Iran CIA Director William Burns met with the new Israeli prime minister on Wednesday as talks to revive the landmark nuclear deal remained deadlocked. Israel
Syrian, 'supporting forces' head to Russia for medical care The soldiers will receive medical care at a Russian military hospital for wounds they sustained in combat. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran's supreme leader urges officials to acquire vaccines 'any way possible' Khamenei called on officials to acquire the COVID-19 vaccine any way they can. Iran
Iraq to host regional summit Iraq is hosting a regional summit this month in Baghdad of 'neighboring countries' to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. By Joe Snell
Syrian jihadi group in Idlib goes after gas stations Security forces affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham forced gas stations to close in areas controlled by Turkish-backed factions and set up a temporary checkpoint there. Syria
Saudis sentence 60 Palestinians, Jordanians for supporting Hamas Jordanian and Palestinian officials have been silent on what many believe are exaggerated sentences of their citizens who are accused of supporting Hamas and providing financial support to Palestinian charities. Palestine
Iran judiciary rules in favor of notorious ex-prosecutor Apart from his notoriety as the "butcher of the free media," Saeed Mortazavi has been implicated in multiple controversial cases, from torture and murder to corruption and embezzlement. Iran
Government report details how Israel has failed Bedouin community The Bedouin community in the Negev Desert region has been allocated far bigger budgets for development, health, education and transportation services. Israel
