Analysis From UNRWA to ICC, how Republican Congress would shift Middle East policy Bills to cut aid for Palestinians and expedite arms sales to Israel faced Democratic pushback, but they could now easily become law. By Megan Mineiro In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress
Four Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers injured in Lebanon as Argentina withdraws UNIFIL announced this morning that four peacekeepers in its Italian contingent were injured by two rockets that hit their base in southern Lebanon. The rockets were likely fired by Hezbollah or affiliated groups, UNIFIL said. Lebanon
IAEA censures Iran over nuclear activity Out of its 35 member countries, 19 voted in favor of the resolution, 12 abstained, while China, Russia and Burkina Faso voted against it. Iran
Germany reluctant to arrest Netanyahu after ICC warrant as France, Canada commit to uphold The International Criminal Court on Thursday announced arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza. Turkey
UAE hires its second former Samantha Power aide to defend itself at UN The UAE has tapped a former aide to Barack Obama’s UN ambassador as the country faces blistering criticism at the world body. United Arab Emirates
Iraqis gratefully welcome UN envoy's speech, demand more With few expectations, Iraqis expressed appreciation to the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert for her briefing on the protests. Iraq
IS kills priests in Syria as Turkish-backed fighters express IS sympathies Two Armenian Catholic priests are killed by the Islamic State near Hasakah and pro-Turkish Syrian fighters are reported to have hoisted the Islamic State flag in Ras al-Ain. Syria
Two to watch at the UN General Assembly: Turkey’s Erdogan and Iraq’s Salih Turkish leader meets Trump ahead of safe-zone deadline; Iraqi president offers new direction for Iraq and region. Iraq
UN nuclear watchdog confirms Iran installing advanced centrifuges The IAEA has confirmed Iran’s third step of reducing its limitations on nuclear research and development under the JCPOA. Iran
Why UN fears exposing Israel The United Nations did not include Israel in its "list of shame" of states committing grave violations against children, despite the figures and statistics released in its special report pointing to the contrary. Palestine
EU says Iran deal parties trying to salvage deal, not ready to trigger dispute mechanism The remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are not yet prepared to trigger the accord’s dispute-resolution mechanism over Iran’s decision to reduce its compliance to protest crippling US economic sanctions. United States
Can Tunisia get back into international good graces after imprisoning UN expert? Following the release of UN expert Moncef Kartas, Tunisia was elected a nonpermanent member at the UN Security Council, which some say should help it regain the trust it lost on the international scene. Libya
Why interim government supports Hifter in Libya In an interview with Al-Monitor, the foreign minister of the interim Libyan government, Abdul Hadi al-Hweij, discusses what he sees as the international community’s perplexing stances toward Libyan groupings in addition to speaking about the battle for Tripoli and other developments in the Libyan arena. Libya
Iran says Mossad ‘fabricating intelligence’ on oil tanker attacks Iran’s foreign minister has condemned the UNSC meeting that will discuss UAE claims about oil tanker attacks. Saudi Arabia
Tunisia frees UN expert but 'battle has only just begun' Theories abound as to why the Tunisian government has charged Moncef Kartas with espionage, but new information regarding similar charges against his fixer shed light on the true nature of the flimsy case against Kartas. Libya
UN demands release of UN expert from ‘illegal detention’ in Tunisia UN expert Moncef Kartas, who is being detained in Tunisia, was charged with treason and espionage and could face the death sentence if found guilty, prompting the UN to call for his release. Tunisia