Israel’s Shin Bet chief meets CIA director for talks on Palestinians, Iran Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar met in Washington with CIA chief William Burns over mutual concerns for the stability of the Palestinian Authority. Israel
Delay in cashing Qatari aid slows Gaza economy The delay in disbursing monthly aid to the Gaza Strip population is weighing on the economy, since the payments represent the sole source of income to some 100,000 families. Palestine
Lebanon's Hezbollah denies links to suspects in killing of UN Irish peacekeeper Hezbollah officials have denied court findings that five people formally accused of killing an Irish soldier of the UNIFIL last year were members of Hezbollah. Lebanon
Iran releases 1 Danish, 2 Austrian citizens after Oman mediation The newest release of European dual nationals follows a prisoner swap between Iran and Belgium also mediated by Oman. Iran
Israelis rally in Jerusalem’s LGBT parade amid rise in hate rhetoric More than ever before, this year’s Jerusalem gay pride parade offered a stage for opponents of the current far-right/ultra-Orthodox coalition and the judicial overhaul advanced by the government. Israel
Goldman Sachs latest bank to expand in Gulf as balance of power shifts Economic trends are incentivizing multinational banks and financial services firms to expand their operations in the Gulf region. Gulf
Israel, Hezbollah rattle swords, with military drills near border The military drills of Hezbollah and of the Israel Defense Forces — only a few days apart — reflect growing tensions on Israel’s northern border. Israel
Israel slams IAEA for closing two Iran nuclear sites probes Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Foreign Ministry slammed the IAEA for caving into Iranian pressure and ending two probes on traces of enriched uranium found at the Fordo and Marivan sites. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Turkey’s beleaguered Kurds weigh new strategies after Erdogan’s win The key question following the vote is whether the alliance between the HDP and the main opposition Republican People’s Party and its Table of Six partners can endure. Turkey
Jordan erupts in celebrations for Prince Hussein’s wedding to Saudi Rajwa Alseif Prince Hussein, who is next in line to the throne, married a member of a prominent Saudi family in a ceremony which attracted VIPs and visitors from around the world. Jordan
Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE attend BRICS meeting in South Africa as bloc mulls expansion Iran, which has applied for observer status in BRICS, is finessing non-Western states to remedy its battered economy. Iran
Karim Benzema to leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia's Pro League Reports emerged this week that the 35-year-old French striker was offered a two-year contract worth €400 million to move to the Saudi Pro League's Al Ittihad. Saudi Arabia
Attack on Iran-Pakistan border leaves 2 dead Security issues are complicating Iran’s relations with Pakistan, and there has also been violence on the Iran-Afghanistan border recently. Iran
