Iraqi parliament speaker’s home targeted amid power plays At least three rockets landed near a residence of the Iraqi parliament speaker in his native Anbar region on Tuesday as political wrangling, disappearances and threats from Iran-linked militias continue. Iraq
Iranian press calls direct talks with US a 'trap' The merits of talking with the United States are being debated in Iranian media after recent comments by the foreign minister. Iran
How Russian moves in Syria are linked to Moscow's Ukraine strategy Large-scale exercises in the Mediterranean are meant both to increase capabilities in Syria and to send a message to NATO. Russia
Israel says maritime talks with Lebanon to resume next week The Israel Energy Ministry said talks would resume with its longtime foe over natural gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean. News Brief
Turkey’s central bank continues window dressing with currency swaps Hit by a foreign reserves drain, Turkey’s central bank eyes fresh currency swap deals, including with the central banks of Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Libya. Turkey
How attack on Kurdish-run prison in northeast Syria will affect Islamic State The Islamic State launched a massive attack on a Kurdish-run prison in Hasakah in northeastern Syria with the aim of releasing about 5,000 inmates. Syria
Idlib residents demand release of detainees in jihadist group’s prisons The families of detainees in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s prisons in Syria’s Idlib province organized a series of protests, demanding that the group free their relatives, amid rumors that some of them will be executed. Syria
Israel’s president to pay first visit to UAE President Isaac Herzog will leave with his wife Michal on Sunday for a historic first visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Reading the Middle East with Gilles Kepel Prince Turki Al Faisal discusses his role in 'The Afghanistan File,' chronicling Saudi Arabia's involvement with Afghanistan from 1979-2001 Gilles Kepel
Iraqi Federal Court rejects appeal to nullify selection of parliament speaker The selection of parliament speaker has been upheld as the federal court rejected the request of the Coordination Framework to cancel the process. Iraq
Qatar’s emir heads to Washington next week, report Discussions are likely to include Iran negotiations, Afghanistan and a US effort to provide alternative energy supplies to Europe in the event Russia invades Ukraine. Washington Connection
Syria’s Kurdish-led forces advance into Islamic State prison Syrian Kurdish-led fighters have advanced slowly into the Hasakah prison amid reports of hostages. Syria
House Democrats press Blinken on military aid to Egypt In a letter to the US secretary of state, lawmakers described Egypt's "pervasive and systemic violations of human rights." Egypt
Saudi Arabia reports more non-oil exports, large amount of trade with China The kingdom is trying to reduce its dependence on oil. Gulf
Iran signals readiness for direct talks with US Amid reported piecemeal progress toward a potential deal, the Iranian government says it has been offered direct talks with the United States in the course of the ongoing multilateral nuclear negotiations in Vienna. Iran
Istanbul residents get stuck in snow as politicians throw blame at each other The coldest weather in decades cripples life and transportation in Istanbul, with stranded passengers staging protests at Istanbul airport. Turkey