Pentagon says drone strike near Syria's Idlib targeted al-Qaeda official CENTCOM fired a drone missile at at least one jihadi official near Idlib today in the first such strike in recent months. Syria
Sisi statements spark debate about status for Egyptian atheists The Egyptian president's remarks on human rights have drawn attention to freedom of belief for the nonreligious. Egypt
UK foreign secretary to press Iranian FM on prisoners, nuclear deal In her first overseas trip as new UK foreign secretary, Liz Truss will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City this week. Iran
Turkey's latest attack on PKK militant in Iraqi Kurdistan meant as show of strength In recent months, Turkish drones have picked off a string of mid-level commanders in Iraqi Kurdistan and northeast Syria. Iraq
Lebanese judge sets new date for ex-PM to answers questions on Beirut port explosion Hassan Diab was previously due to appear before investigators on Sept. 20, but Lebanese media reported he left for the United States. Lebanon
Iran says SCO membership to end isolation Iran is hoping to expand its economic ties after it enters the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Iran
EU condemns Houthi execution of 9 Yemenis by firing squad The European Union joined the United States and United Nations in condemning the trial and execution of nine Yemenis accused of involvement in the killing of a senior Houthi official. Yemen
Israeli, Swedish foreign ministers talk on phone after seven years of silence Bilateral diplomatic relations between Israel and Sweden had deteriorated after Stockholm recognized Palestine in 2014, but now both countries seem eager to rehabilitate ties. Israel
Syria's defense chief visits Jordan to discuss border security State media outlets reported that Syrian Gen. Ali Ayoub and Jordanian Gen. Yousef Huneiti met in Amman to discuss the situation along the border following the fighting in Daraa. Syria
Iraqi leaders sign electoral code of conduct The agreement among Iraqi parties comes in light of ongoing efforts by Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government to reunite political blocs ahead of the October elections. Iraq
Egypt receives vaccine doses via France The AstraZeneca vaccine doses were delivered via the World Health Organization's COVAX initiative. News Brief
Netanyahu's dominance over Likud holds for now Despite challenges from some Likud seniors, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retains his status as party leader and the right's most popular politician. Israel
Israel recaptures remaining escapees in prison break fiasco Israeli security forces have redeemed their image after successfully capturing the six Palestinian prisoners who escaped last week from a high-security jail. Israel
Jewish Israelis flock to Temple Mount in greater numbers Despite warnings from some rabbis that visits are forbidden, more Jewish Israelis are ascending the Temple Mount than ever. Israel
Sisi-Bennett meeting opens new chapter in Israel-Egypt ties At the top of the agenda is achieving a sustainable ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and whether progress can be made in Israeli-Palestinian talks. Egypt
Ancient trade facility restored in Egypt Al-Jeddawi archaeological agency in the Egyptian city of Esna was revived after 300 years of neglect, following two years of restoration works in cooperation with USAID. Egypt
