Iran urges dialogue amid Iraq turmoil Iranian authorities have called on Iraqi factions to seek political solutions as Baghdad streets saw deadly clashes between members of the Shiite Sadrist movement and their Tehran-backed rivals. Iraq
Qatar issues first digital payment licenses to fintech providers Qatar as well as Saudi Arabia and the UAE are seeking to bolster their fintech sectors. Gulf
Protesters withdraw from Baghdad's Green Zone Following Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's order, his followers have withdrawn completely from the Green Zone and evacuated the parliament building. Iraq
How realistic is Erdogan’s vision for security belt from Syria to Iraq? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he is bent on creating an “end-to-end” security belt along Turkey’s southern borders with Syria and Iraq — a vision too ambitious given the political and topographic conditions of the areas in question. Turkey
Iraq's neighbors urge calm in response to Baghdad clashes The situation in Baghdad has calmed somewhat after cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called on his supporters to pull back. Iraq
Netanyahu campaign leans on Israel's economic woes Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu is focusing his electoral campaign on the failure of the government to lower the cost of living and better working conditions in schools and hospitals. Israel
Fires engulf displacement camps in northern Syria during heat wave Northern Syria is experiencing a heat wave, which is taking a heavy toll on camps for displaced persons who face chronic diseases, wildfires and water scarcity. Syria
Israel’s Lapid, Mossad chief diverge on emerging Iran nuclear deal Prime Minister Yair Lapid was surprised by the briefings to the press of Mossad Director David Barnea, who accused the West and the United States of generating a strategic catastrophe for the region. Israel
Egypt determined to disrupt Ethiopia's ties with Uganda Cairo is to help Kampala achieve food security in a bid to deal a blow to the Ugandan-Ethiopian alliance, especially in the Nile dam issue. Egypt
Egypt intensifies green initiatives ahead of COP27 Egypt has intensified efforts in preparation for hosting the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference, by launching a number of initiatives to resolve environmental problems and ease the impact of climate change. Egypt
Iran’s trade with Turkmenistan on pace to double this year Iran is seeking more trade with its neighbors and other countries in Central Asia. Iran
Sadr announces hunger strike as 20 killed in Baghdad clashes Clashes between rival Shiite groups, the Sadrists and the Popular Mobilization Units, have left more than 20 dead and hundreds injured. Iraq