Kazakhstan crisis challenges Turkey's leadership of Turkic union The unrest rattling Kazakhstan has reflected the irrelevance of Turkey and the Organization of Turkic States chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Syria joins China’s Belt and Road Initiative The admission of Syria into the Chinese economic project is the latest sign of strengthening relations between Damascus and Beijing. News Brief
IRGC-linked factions step up activity against Kurdistan Region of Iraq Armed factions in Iraq with links to Iran have increased accusations against Kurds in the country’s autonomous region and may have been behind some recent attacks on them. Iraq
Turkey’s middle class put on austerity footing amid skyrocketing prices Staggering price increases are forcing Turkey’s middle class to cut on spending in myriad fields, from shopping and transport to dining and travel. Turkey
Turkish Netflix series turns cameras on pogroms, hidden Greeks "The Club," whose first season woke the ghosts of Turkey’s Jewish community, turns its lens on Turkey’s Greek Orthodox Community and the pogroms of 1955. Turkey
Protests erupt over Israeli plan to plant trees near Bedouin villages Area Bedouins protested this morning against the Jewish National Fund's plan to plant trees on land they use for agriculture. Israel
Son of top PLO official released after two years in Egyptian prison Egyptian-Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath, an advocate for the Israel BDS movement, was released after Shaath agreed to renounce his Egyptian citizenship. Palestine
As omicron spreads, Israelis turn against Bennett Many Israelis feel that the government and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett have lost control over battling the spread of the coronavirus omicron variant. Israel
Egypt tests economic outreach to Syria through labor unions Cairo looks to labor unions to strengthen ties with Damascus . Egypt
Syrian Kurdish forces require displaced Arabs to obtain 'expat card' to remain in their areas The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is requiring Arabs displaced from all Syrian regions who are living in the areas under their control to obtain an expatriate card to be allowed to enter or remain. Syria
Journalists in Turkey see media domain narrowing as elections approach Media workers under pressure mark Working Journalists Day and fear further clampdown on independent journalism. Turkey
Two dead after truck plunges into Nile River in Egypt The incident near Cairo was the latest transportation-related tragedy in Egypt. News Brief
Young Chadian leader sees partner, role model in Sisi Mahamat ibn Idriss Deby Itno is seeking Cairo's support to manage the country's transition. Egypt
Moscow struggles to sell fighter jets in the Mideast With Egypt and Algeria reportedly backing out of plans to acquire Russian-made fighter jets, there is speculation Tehran could emerge as a potential buyer. Iran
Pressure mounts on Iran's health minister amid personal vaccine saga The impeachment motion was triggered by a leaked document showing that the health minister had received an imported vaccine, contradicting his earlier claims that he had been jabbed with a government-promoted, domestic one. Iran
Qatari, Iranian foreign ministers meet in Doha The visit followed the Iranian foreign minister's trip to Oman. News Brief
