With Larijani in, Iran presidential race heats up with cutthroat rivalries Centrist Ali Larijani threw himself in bitter exchanges with hard-line rivals after attacking the status quo and promising to revive the divisive Iran nuclear deal, which was on life support during late President Ebrahim Raisi's unfinished term. Iran
Iraq's PM says Baghdad mediating potential Syria-Turkey reconciliation The Iraqi prime minister says he is in contact with the Turkish and Syrian presidents as part of reconciliation efforts Turkey
For some Palestinians who adored Turkey's Erdogan, Gaza response ‘too little, too late’ While prior to Oct. 7 the Turkish leader was viewed favorably among wide swaths of Palestinians for his harsh rhetoric against Israel, many now say he's done too little since the outbreak of the war. Turkey
Jordan to host emergency meeting on humanitarian response in Gaza The conference, which will be co-hosted with Jordan, Egypt and the UN, comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening following the closure of the Rafah border crossing. Jordan
Biden lays out 3-phase cease-fire plan to end Gaza war The deal paves the way for “an enduring cease-fire,” the release of all remaining hostages and the eventual reconstruction of Gaza. Israel
France to bar Israeli firms from Eurosatory defense expo The decision is due to French President Emmanuel Macron calls for a cease-fire in Gaza and will affect several Israel companies. Israel
US reportedly slows AI chip exports to Mideast as Saudi Arabia turns to China Washington has further restricted imports of critical components for AI systems to certain countries, including some undisclosed ones in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Stabbing in Germany as France makes arrest in Olympics attack plan Far-right Pax Europa said one of its members, 59-year-old Michael Sturzenberger, a harsh critic of Islam, was injured in the attack. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
As Israel tests red lines on Rafah, what will Biden tolerate? Amid the mounting death toll in Rafah, many of Biden’s detractors say his shifting red line has become an effective green light for continued carnage in the Palestinian enclave. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
EU sanctions Iranian defense minister, Quds commander over drone transfers to Russia Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Gharaei Ashtiani and IRGC Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani are two of the six Iranian individuals and three Iranian entities sanctioned by the European Union this week as the United States also expands sanctions against Iran. Iran
