Iran increases non-oil trade with Shanghai Cooperation Organization The uptick in trade comes at an important time for Iran’s relations with Russia, Kazakhstan and India. Iran
Biden, Lapid sign Jerusalem Declaration While the document lays out a platform for continued US-Israeli cooperation, there are still signs the two are divided on diplomacy with Tehran. Israel
Egypt accommodates blind beachgoers New roped-off space with trained lifeguards in Alexandria Governorate is one example of the nation's increasing attention to accommodating people with disabilities. Egypt
Turkish extradition requests often disregarded by Western allies Ankara has long viewed foreign courts’ refusal to repatriate suspects as a sign of obstruction by their governments, but the West looks askance at the Turkish judicial system. Turkey
Egypt calls on Israel to investigate Egyptian soldiers' mass grave in Jerusalem The discovery of a mass grave for Egyptian soldiers in Jerusalem seems to put relations between Cairo and Tel Aviv to the test, after they have grown steadily in the past few years under Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Egypt refers illegal encroachments on Nile to military prosecution The Egyptian government is addressing illegal Nile River dumping or diversions by sending suspects to military courts. Egypt
Islamic State continues to menace Iraqi-Syrian border Security risks continue to fester in the mostly desert terrain between Iraq and Syria, where the Islamic State conducts brazen attacks even as its alleged leaders are reported killed. Iraq
Hope, despair in Yemen as Biden travels to Saudi Arabia Ahead of the US president's Saudi trip, Yemenis are feeling a mixture of optimism and gloom about its likely benefits for them. Gulf
Will Tunisia, Algeria relations recover through land border reopening? Several issues, including gas and the dispute over the Western Sahara, continue to linger over the tense Algerian-Tunisian relations, despite the reopening of the land borders between the two countries. North Africa
Ukraine, Russia grain talks in Turkey stir optimism as UN voices caution Turkey’s defense chief has announced Russia and Ukraine are set to sign an understanding over a series of “fundamental technical” issues that the warring parties agreed on during today’s talk in Istanbul. Turkey
Analysis The Takeaway: Biden opens ‘new chapter’ with Middle East trip Energy company touts oil for food for Syria; Ukraine’s ambassador in Turkey talks Russia; Iran’s unprecedented inflation; oil stoves make comeback in Lebanon; Sudanese civilians skeptical of moves by military leaders; and more. By Elizabeth Hagedorn , Andrew Parasiliti
