Erdogan calls Israel's recognition of Somaliland 'illegal,' unveils plans for Somalia
Erdogan said Turkey plans offshore energy drilling off Somalia's coast in 2026 and will add two new drilling vessels.
Middle East
Syrian security forces impose curfew in Latakia following deadly protests, violence
UAE voluntarily pulls counterterrorism units from Yemen following comprehensive assessment
US, partner forces kill or capture 25 ISIS operatives in Syria during December ops
An uncertain Tehran responds to Trump-Netanyahu meeting with war rhetoric - analysis
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) stated “it would stand firmly against any unrest or territorial aggression, warning adversaries against miscalculation.”
Putin speaks with Iran president on nuclear program, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Iran opens dialogue with protest leaders after demonstrations over plunge in currency value
President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a social media post late on Monday that he had asked the interior minister to listen to "legitimate demands" of protesters.
Yemen airstrikes show national security is red line that Saudi Arabia won't let UAE cross -analysis
The Houthis targeted Riyadh for years until Saudi Arabia was able to secure a kind of ceasefire in Yemen and also reconcile with Iran over the last few years.
Is Iran’s Tiananmen moment a sign bazaar protests will topple the regime? - analysis
As protests sweep Iran, a powerful image likened to Tiananmen's ‘Tank Man’ surfaces, echoing the bazaari class’s historic defiance amid economic collapse and rising calls for regime change.
Haibat al-Halbousi elected Iraq’s parliament speaker as new legislature convenes
Iraq continues to face challenges as it navigates between the Iranian influence on the country and a push by the US and others to roll back Iranian-backed militias.
Grading Trump-Netanyahu meeting on Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and Syria - analysis
Iran was Netanyahu's and Israel's best spot by far from the summit. Trump said almost everything that the Israeli defense establishment would have wanted to hear.
Jewish merchant walks free after 20-days in Syrian prison, authorities say all charges cleared
Salem Hamdani, a Jewish merchant from Damascus, was cleared of the charges of selling antiquities stolen from Damascus’ National Museum, after no evidence was found against him.
Saudi-led coalition strikes UAE-backed Southern Transition Council ships in southern Yemen
The strike occurred shortly after an evacuation warning was issued for all civilians in the Mukalla area, advising them to evacuate until further notice ahead of military operations.
Trump says Israel '100%' lived up to Gaza first phase requirements, Hamas has 'hell to pay'
United States President Donald Trump held a press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida to discuss multiple topics, including the US-brokered Israel-Gaza peace deal.
