Erdogan presses for 'concrete steps' in Syria during call with Putin President Erdogan tells his Russian counterpart Putin that the Syrian government needs to be "constructive" for "concrete results" in Syria. Turkey
The Takeaway: Regional embrace of Syria's Assad puts US in tight spot Plus, the US responds to Itamar Ben-Gvir's controversial holy site visit, and President Joe Biden names ambassadors to Jordan and Oman. Syria
Arabs celebrate Umm Kulthum pick on Rolling Stone’s 200 greatest singers The Egyptian legend was ranked ahead of many all-time greats, including Michael Jackson. Egypt
Hezbollah's Nasrallah refutes health rumors, slams Ben-Gvir Hassan Nasrallah praised internal efforts to choose a Lebanese president, but criticized attempts to link the issue to geopolitical developments. Lebanon
Outrage at desecration of historic Protestant Cemetery in Jerusalem Police investigates the desecration of at least 30 tombstones by two Jewish-looking individuals at the 19th century Protestant Cemetery in Jerusalem. Israel
First call between Turkish, Israeli FMs overshadowed by Ben-Gvir Turkey's foreign minister told his newly appointed Israeli counterpart that the Israeli security minister's visit to the Jerusalem holy site was "unacceptable." Turkey
Egyptian banks announce measure to encourage savings Inflation is still occurring in Egypt and the pound is plummeting in value again. Egypt
Iraq's Sistani calls on world not to abandon Afghans Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite cleric, asked the international community and the Muslim world to stand with the people of Afghanistan following a meeting with Afghan Shiites. Iraq
Turkey spars with China over Uyghurs, but is it real? Turkey’s opposition and some Uyghur activists remain doubtful on how committed Ankara is to defending the rights of the Uyghurs despite its recent spat with Beijing. Turkey
Syrian opposition-controlled areas protest Ankara-Damascus rapprochement Syrians are speaking out against a potential Turkish-Syrian rapprochement, with opposition-held areas holding vigils and protests across Aleppo and Idlib governorates. Syria
Turkey’s overtures to Assad all about crushing Syrian Kurds’ autonomy Turkey’s security establishment remains immutably opposed to the consolidation of any form of Kurdish autonomy in Syria that would mirror Kurdish gains in neighboring Iraq. Turkey