'No pretext to delay' Iraqi Kurdistan parliament elections, says Masoud Barzani Iraqi Kurdish leader, in exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, cites "positive atmosphere" of budget talks, discusses prospects for oil law, relations with the United States, Iran, China and issues affecting the Kurdish people in Iraq and the region. Iraq
Russia fighter jet collides with US drone over Black Sea amid concerns of Iran arms transfers Loss of the USAF MQ-9 comes as Russia has provided weapons technology to Iran, including US arms captured in Ukraine. Russia
Syria’s Assad arrives in Russia for talks with Putin Assad’s visit comes ahead of a meeting between Syrian and Turkish diplomats in Russia. Syria
Biden administration budget would slash Tunisia’s economic aid The State Department’s latest budget calls for steep cuts to US economic aid to several countries in the Middle East while largely sustaining military aid. Tunisia
Explainer: How Iraq planted the seeds for China's Saudi-Iran deal Iran and Saudi Arabia finalized their negotiations in Beijing after five sessions of mediation in Baghdad since 2019. Gulf
Meet China's top diplomat Wang Yi, architect of Saudi-Iran deal Wang’s tenure as foreign minister saw China make large inroads into the Middle East, including among US allies. Gulf
Iran protesters torch Soleimani monument as crackdown intensifies Amid renewed protests six months into the unrest, the Iranian establishment's heavy-handed response appeared to have failed to bridge its widening gap with the disillusioned public. Iran
Turkey releases grieving father to Greece in post-disaster diplomacy Turkey-Greece ties are continuing to mend with a diplomatic gestures and mutual kindnesses in the wake of their recent disasters. Turkey
Saudi Arabia to buy 121 Boeing-787s in ‘historic’ $37 billion deal The agreements make up the fifth-largest commercial order by value in Boeing’s history and is valued at nearly $37 billion. Gulf
Israeli FM slams Europe for 'interfering' in judicial overhaul Ahead of a debate at the European Parliament on Israel’s judicial overhaul, Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrel of interfering in Israel’s internal affairs. Israel
Kurdish umbrella group under Ocalan says Erdogan will never offer real peace to Turkey's Kurds In Al-Monitor's interview with Zubeyir Aydar, a top civilian leader of the umbrella Kurdish group that includes the Kurdistan Workers Party, his message was clear: The incumbent president was never sincere about peace with Turkey’s Kurds and never will be. Turkey
Hamas says leadership visited Russia, met Sergey Lavrov A Hamas official has revealed that his movement "recently" visited Moscow and warned that the group's "patience is running out" with Israel. Palestine
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