Kurds in Iraq are powerbrokers in Iraq’s politics, but do they benefit? - analysis
Iraqi Shi’ite leaders arrived in Erbil for talks with Kurdish officials as political deadlock deepens over appointing a new president and prime minister.
Middle East
Rafah border fully reopens: New security protocols for Palestinians leaving Gaza
With Rafah open, could Hamas-run ‘Health Ministry’ be replaced now? - analysis
Joint Muslim statement blames Israel for ceasefire breakdown with no mention of Hamas
Senators seek assurance with Save the Kurds Act as Sharaa regime, SDF agree to integration deal
The Save the Kurds Act calls for snapback sanctions if the Syrian regime recommences attacks on Kurds and demands that HTS be redesignated as a terrorist organization
Israeli woman arrested in Turkey on charges of anti-Palestinian rhetoric, denouncing Erdogan
The Foreign Ministry confirmed that it was aware of an Israeli citizen who was detained in Istanbul. N12 reported she has been held for 10 days.
Iran FM Araghchi says Trump being ‘dragged’ toward war by 'certain elements'
Abbas Araghchi told CNN that miscalculations could trigger war with the US, while insisting Iran remains open to a deal on nuclear weapons.
'Hero' Gaza hospital director and op-ed writer for NYT revealed to have been Hamas colonel
Despite his Hamas rank being well known in Arabic media, Safiya was still invited to write opinion pieces for the NYT.
'Deeply concerned': NCAG, Board of Peace head denounce Gaza Strip ceasefire breaches
Statements from NCAG and Nickolay Mladenov came after Israeli strikes and Hamas tunnel activity raised concerns over ceasefire violations.
Israel assesses Iran strike unlikely this week as US weighs next steps
The prevailing assessment in Israel did not point to immediate US action, with officials speaking in terms of weeks rather than days.
Trump’s Maliki message underscores Iraq’s growing strategic risk, won't back him as PM - analysis
Maliki was last in charge in 2014, when ISIS took over part of Iraq. He spent years in the wilderness before returning to the spotlight.
New security accord between Syria, SDF points to structural realignment, implementation uncertain
The new agreement, described as a “qualitative shift,” differs in both form and substance from previous understandings reached in recent years.
KLM resumes flights to Israel, UAE, Saudi Arabia after announcing it would avoid Middle East
KLM, the Dutch arm of the Air France-KLM group, added that it had already resumed flights to other destinations in the region, including Riyadh and Dammam.
Islamic regime targeting dissidents, Israelis in new wave of advanced phishing attacks
A new phishing scheme allows alleged IRGC-affiliated hackers to snap photos from the victim’s device every 5 seconds, record audio in three-second segments, and geolocate the device every two seconds.
