Airlines suspend Belarus-bound travel for Middle East migrants Turkish Airlines and Iraqi Airlines restricting flights to Minsk for citizens of Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Turkey
How Ankara-Abu Dhabi detente could affect Libya Negotiations between Turkey and the UAE have focused mostly on increased trade, but several factors may lead Abu Dhabi to back away from supporting the Libyan insurgency. Gulf
Turkey, Georgia run joint drill at border Georgia has grown closer to Turkey and Azerbaijan in the Caucasus. News Brief
Camels weep as their young perish in Syria’s killer drought Camels are a miserable canary in the coal mine of Syria, which is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years. Syria
Israeli justice minister advances anti-Netanyahu legislation Targeting former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Justice Minister Gideon Saar will bring to the ministerial committee next week a law proposal for limiting premiership term to eight years only. Israel
Thousands of Iraqi, Syrian refugees shiver at Belarus-Poland border Iraqi Yazidis, Syrian Kurds and others are trapped in miserable conditions on the border, caught in a dispute between Belarus and the European Union. Iraq
Saudi Arabia welcomes multinationals to Riyadh Saudi Arabia's move to license 44 companies to open headquarters has put the kingdom in competition with the United Arab Emirates regional business hub. Gulf
Israel loses patience with Iranian entrenchment in Syria Israel has detected increased activity by Iran as it builds up its military presence in Syria. Israel
Palestinian banks accused of colluding with Israel Palestinian banks in the Gaza Strip froze the accounts of dozens of associations and civil society institutions, sparking a wave of anger among them and the citizens who benefit from the services they provide. Palestine
Egypt appoints first woman president of National Council for Human Rights For the first time in history, Egypt appointed Egyptian diplomat Moushira Khattab to lead the National Council for Human Rights, Egypt
Russia attempts to reconcile Palestinian president, Dahlan Russia may discuss with President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit to Moscow this month the issue of reconciliation with Fatah’s dismissed leader Mohammed Dahlan, who visited Russia recently, but developments on the ground do not bode well. Palestine
Jordan struggles with dry dams, water deficit Jordan is facing an “unprecedented” drought crisis as a number of its dams dried up due to the scarcity of rainwater, which prompted the kingdom to knock on Israel’s door to buy additional quantities of water to meet the current water deficit of 40 million cubic meters. Jordan
Iraq diversifies arms imports after US withdrawal from Afghanistan The US withdrawal may have spurred Iraq to consider purchases from Turkey and Pakistan, according to report by the Pentagon's Inspector General. News Brief
UK urges Iranian deputy FM on jailed British nationals The meeting between British officials and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani came nearly three weeks after Richard Ratcliffe launched a hunger strike to protest his wife's detention. Iran
UAE, Saudi Arabia look to strengthen trade with India The two richest states in the Persian Gulf region find themselves locked in competition to maximize opportunities for stronger economic ties to Indian markets. Gulf
UAE, Israel, Bahrain, US conduct joint naval exercise in Red Sea Fighter jets from Saudi Arabia and Israel flew alongside a US B-1 bomber over the region today in a separate exercise of force. Gulf