Top Iran official meets UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed after Saudi thaw On his trip to Abu Dhabi, Iran's Ali Shamkhani spoke of "constructive" engagement as Tehran is exhausting all channels to push back on its growing isolation. Iran
Saudi Arabia finally gets a US ambassador after 2-year vacancy The career diplomat’s confirmation follows China's brokered deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as improving relations between Washington and Riyadh. Gulf
US Senate advances bill to repeal Iraq war authorizations The procedural vote in the US Senate coincides with the approaching 20th anniversary of the Iraq invasion. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraqi Kurdish officials say PKK militants killed in chopper crash near Turkey border No one has yet claimed any connection to a helicopter that crashed in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Wednesday night, killing seven people. Turkey
State Department's Barbara Leaf arrives in Middle East for 10-day visit Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf will make stops in Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Tunisia. By Al-Monitor Staff
Interview Kurdish umbrella group says US pressure won't solve Turkey’s Kurdish problem — but Ocalan can Remzi Karta, a top civilian leader of the umbrella Kurdish group that includes the Kurdistan Workers Party, said in an interview with Al-Monitor that if released, imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan could still solve the Kurdish problem in a week. Remzi Kartal Co-Chair of the Kurdistan People’s Congress
Turkey-Syria summit postponed at last minute as Russia nudges rivals to reconcile The two countries' deputy foreign ministers plus those of Russia and Iran had been due to meet to discuss further rapprochement efforts. Turkey
Israel to provide Ukraine with anti-drone systems, as Netanyahu visits Germany Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has gone on the offensive, arguing in Berlin that his judicial reform will strengthen Israeli democracy, not weaken it. Israel
Tunisian authorities arrest union leader as Saied widens crackdown More critics and opponents of President Kais Saied are being detained on an almost daily basis amid a growing crackdown. North Africa
Syria, Russia to sign 40 investment deals after Assad’s visit Syrian President Assad also said in an interview with Sputnik that he would not meet with Turkish President Erdogan until Turkey removes its troops from Syria. Syria
