Iran
Right-wing populist slammed in Iran
Hardliner Ebrahim Raeesi reluctantly accepted Hassan Rouhani's victory after a bitter campaign, with cultural rights for Kurds and other ethnic minorities a critical dividing line.
Syria
Syria: US targets pro-Assad forces for second time
US jets attacked a convoy of Iran-backed militia forces loyal to Syrian dictator Bashar Assad—ironically within one of the new “deconfliction zones” established by the US and Russia.
North Africa
Massacre reported in battle for Libyan airbase
Up to 130 soldiers are reported to have been summarily executed after a force loyal to Libya's Tripoli-based government took an airbase controlled by eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar.
Europe
Ukrainian general calls for ‘destruction’ of Jews
A Ukrainian general closely linked to the intelligence services called for "destruction" of the country's Jews—providing fodder for the portrayal of Russian aggression as "anti-fascism."
Palestine
Israeli forces demolish Bedouin village —again
Israeli forces demolished the "unrecognized" Bedouin village of al-Araqib in the Negev for the 113th time since 2010 and for the fifth time this year—as residents persist in rebuilding.
Greater Middle East
Trump betrays Kurds in schmooze with Erdogan
In his White House meeting with Erdogan, Trump was sure to pledge support against the PKK "terrorists"—even as the US is backing PKK-aligned Kurds against ISIS in Syria.
Syria
Syria: ‘crematorium’ at regime death camp?
Rights groups have long charged the Assad regime with mass murder at its Saydnaya military prison. What are we to make of US claims that a crematorium has been installed there?
Afghanistan
US Marines back to Afghanistan’s opium heartland
Three years after withdrawing, US Marines are returning to Afghanistan's Helmand province to help beat back a new Taliban offensive funded by a bumper opium harvest.
East Asia
Guangdong: direct action gets the goods
Authorities in Qingyuan, in China’s Guangdong province, canceled a planned waste incinerator project after the city center was repeatedly shut down by angry mass protests.
Planet Watch
US signs Arctic climate declaration —with caveats
Under diplomatic pressure, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson signed the Fairbanks Declaration on Arctic climate—but with caveats about how the US will not "rush" to change policy.
North Africa
Women, Berber rights at issue in Libya constitution
Libya's Constitution Drafting Assembly is under harsh critcism from women's rights advocates, while Berber leaders have called for a boycott to press demands on language rights.
North Africa
New Qaeda franchise escalates Mali insurgency
A new Qaeda-affiliated faction, the Group for Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), is attempting to re-unify the fragmented jihadist insurgency in Mali's desert north.