World
Middle East
Israel, Bahrain sign deal establishing formal ties
Israel’s agreements with the UAE and Bahrain have marked diplomatic victories for the Trump administration and for Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- by Ilan Ben Zion
Latest
World politics
Iran-backed militias offer truce for US pullout from Iraq
Iraqi militias backed by Iran have agreed to temporarily halt attacks targeting the American presence in Iraq, on the condition that US-led coalition troops withdraw from the country.
Coronavirus pandemic
Iran has highest day death toll from virus, currency plunges
A number of senior government figures have tested positive for the coronavirus, in what is the hardest-hit country in the region.
Tragedy
Interpol asked to arrest captain, ship owner over Beirut explosion
About two months after the explosion that injured thousands and ravaged the Lebanese capital, questions remain about why and how the cargo was abandoned in Beirut.
- by Ellen Francis
Border disputes
Turkey's support of Azerbaijan a quest for a place in 'world order'
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's resolute stance on Nagorno-Karabakh is a strategic priority and a costly necessity.
- by Orhan Coskun and Jonathan Spicer
Islamic State
25,000 Syrians to be released from camp for IS supporters
There are not enough guards to provide internal security at the camp, which is dominated by the most extreme supporters of Islamic State.
- by Campbell MacDiarmid
Syrian conflict
Assad counting on Russian bases to counter America's dominance
Syrian authorities have agreed to give Russia additional land and coastal waters to expand a military air base at Hmeimim.
- by Suleiman al-Khalidi
Prisons
Iran temporarily releases French-Iranian academic from jail, lawyer says
The French anthropologist, who was convicted by Iranian authorities of security breaches, has been held since 2019.
Border disputes
Lebanon and Israel break 30-year impasse to enter sea border talks
The talks, to be held under the auspices of the United Nations and mediated by the United States, were announced just weeks after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain normalised relations with Israel.
- by Ben Hubbard and Adam Rasgon
World politics
Missiles targeting airport in northern Iraq intercepted
US threatened last week to close its Baghdad embassy unless decisive action was taken to reign in Shiite militias suspected of launching attacks in the city.
- by Samya Kullab
World politics
Kuwait ruler, long-time diplomat Sheikh Sabah, dies aged 91
Kuwait was plunged into mourning for a leader regarded by many Gulf Arabs as a savvy diplomatic operator and a humanitarian champion.