The Takeaway: Sunni ‘awakening’ is a big story from Iraq’s elections Also: Press freedom under threat in Tunisia; Sisi backs Saied emergency measures; Palestinian video game banned in Israel; Syrian opposition considers merger in Idlib; Egypt praised for restoring Jewish synagogue; all in less than 1,300 words! Iraq
Iranian and Pakistani military leaders discuss cooperation, Afghanistan The military chiefs of staff of Iran and Pakistan met near Islamabad and pledged to strengthen ties. News Brief
Iraq's election results put militias between rock and hard place Political parties affiliated with Iraqi militias faced significant defeat, while their ally Nouri al-Maliki earned a remarkable victory. Iraq
Jailing of terminally ill Gulen disciple stirs hearts across Turkey's ideological divide Ayse Ozdogan, an imprisoned end-stage cancer patient, has been denied release, despite a recommendation by a government-run hospital. Turkey
Blinken warns Iran 'time is running short' on nuclear deal return In a joint press conference with his counterparts from Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Blinken said the United States is prepared to pursue “other options” if Tehran doesn’t resume compliance under the nuclear deal. Iran
Palestinians alarmed by Israel settlement plan on Jerusalem airport Israel's Greater Jerusalem Project is taking shape with the construction of thousands of new settlement units on the land of Jerusalem airport, setting off alarm bells with the Palestinians. Palestine
Ankara hints at new Syria operation after spate of attacks near border Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the nation “would do what is necessary” to clear Syrian border areas of Kurdish militants after missile attacks killed two Turkish police officers Sunday. Turkey
Is Turkey losing Washington? Erdogan’s revisionist foreign policy looks squeezed between the Eastern Mediterranean anvil and the Syrian hammer. Turkey
UN warns women, child migrants unsafe in Libya Libya is a major departure point for people seeking to irregularly reach Europe, and the journey can be deadly. News Brief
Azerbaijan, Iran agree to de-escalate through dialogue Following weeks of heightened tensions between the two countries, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian agreed to settle their differences through dialogue. Iran
Iran’s president calls for tighter internet control Iran’s president called for tighter control of the internet while “digitizing” the economy. Iran
Likud’s Edelsetein challenges Netanyahu over party leadership The first to challenge former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Likud party leadership is former Health Minister and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. Israel
Israel's Lapid discusses Iran, Abraham Accords, US-Israel ties in Washington On a three-day visit in Washington, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met yesterday with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Kamala Harris. Israel
Jordanians lukewarm on government reform proposal Jordanians have largely ignored the proposals of a royal committee on political reform as a majority battled the effects of deteriorating living conditions made even worse by the pandemic. Jordan
Egypt wins international award for restoring historic synagogue Egypt is using an international award it recently won for restoring the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue in Alexandria to promote tourism. Egypt
Jewish prayer continues to rile Al-Aqsa Mosque Recurrent prayer by Jews at Al-Aqsa Mosque against regulations can be expected to continue to spark clashes at the site. Palestine