Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk faces probe for insulting Turkey’s founder Following an Istanbul court’s decision to launch an investigation into “Nights of Plague,” the recent novel by Orhan Pamuk, many writers and activists are rallying to support the Nobel laureate. Turkey
Erdogan asks Turkish Parliament to renew deployment to Azerbaijan Turkey sent peacekeeping forces to Azerbaijan last year following the victory in the Nagorno-Karabakh war with Armenia. News Brief
Arab-Israeli legislator meets king of Jordan Having previously alerted Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Ra’am party chair Mansour Abbas met today in the royal palace in Amman with Jordanian King Abdullah II. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox parties stick with Netanyahu in opposition The Bennett-Lapid government's commitment to advancing progressive Judaism projects is pushing the ultra-Orthodox into an even tighter alliance with the former prime minister. Israel
Why fewer Palestinians learn Turkish Turkey has been a top study destination for Palestinians since 2010, but that is changing. Palestine
UAE foreign minister visits Cyprus The UAE has grown closer to Cyprus on energy and defense issues. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey’s Kurds revive fight for language rights Many Kurdish groups have joined forces to promote the Kurdish language and press Ankara for greater language rights. Turkey
Iraq expands border crossings with Saudi Arabia to boost trade In the context of strengthening economic relations, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are diversifying their trade outlets, intending to increase trade exchange to more than $3 billion annually. Iraq
Israel agrees to more Egyptian troops in Sinai Israel has agreed for Egypt to reinforce its military presence in the Sinai Peninsula. Israel
Is Iran behind cyberattacks on Israeli hospitals? Iran's gas stations have also been the target of cyberattacks, increasing fears of an escalation in the Israel-Iran cyberwar. Israel
Two soldiers in Syria injured by suspected Israeli airstrikes Israel has fired missiles in Syrian territory a few times in recent weeks, according to Syrian media. News Brief
Russia, Turkey condemn assassination attempt on Iraqi prime minister Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi survived a drone attack on his Baghdad residence. Iraq
New Abu Dhabi law allows civil marriage for non-Muslims The decree from Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan also establishes a court to handle non-Muslim family matters. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia, UAE hold weekslong military exercise The joint defense exercises are expected to last three weeks. Gulf
Arab League says talks in Lebanon 'starting point' amid Gulf rift Hossam Zaki, the Arab League’s deputy chief, also offered to travel to Saudi Arabia to help mediate the diplomatic row. Lebanon
Rezoning of Istanbul islands raises concerns of AKP meddling A presidential decree has transferred zoning control of Istanbul’s opposition-run Princes’ Islands to the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, raising concerns of anti-democratic practices by Turkey’s ruling party. Turkey
