Securing Anbar, Iraq's largest and sparsely populated province, will play a key role in ensuring the country can develop greater energy self-sufficiency and improve relations with both Syria and the US, local residents say. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech al-monitor.com/originals/202…

My latest from the Middle East for @AlMonitor, on longstanding issues in Iraq's western Anbar that may complicate planned investment in the area. I have reported from the western Anbar numerous times over the past nine years, including during the operations to retake the last two ISIS-held cities there, al-Qaim and Rawa, in late 2017. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

قيل لي إن الحديث عن الإمارات مهمة سهلة، فنجاحها يتحدث عنها ورؤيتها واضحة ومصداقيتها راسخة ومسيرتها التنموية ملهمة. وهذا بالفعل ما لمسته بوضوح خلال لقاءاتي في نيويورك، فنجاح الإمارات هو أبلغ رسائلها.

ANALYSIS | Despite Trump meeting fanfare, Xi shows no sign of breaking with Iran Beijing has significant leverage over Tehran, but little incentive to use it for Washington’s benefit, given its reliance on Iranian oil. Via @roscarroll_ al-monitor.com/originals/202…

In an interview with @amberinzaman, Syrian Air CEO Anwar Akkad laid out his ambitious plans to expand the carrier’s fleet, destinations and role in reconnecting Syria to the world. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

🧵Middle East notes from #UNGA • Pessimism over chances of #Iran deal. Spoilers inside Iran+ outside • Saudi-UAE rift visible • Netanyahu disliked by almost every regional leader • Lebanon still folded under Iran,stuck • Syria’s gov opening channels w all inc. Israel

NEW: My interview with @US_SrAdvisorAF Massad Boulos about his unification plan for Libya, which he insists is "not a question of power-sharing" among the country's political elites al-monitor.com/originals/202…

Could Iran's 7-day Hormuz proposal culminate in diplomatic deal? Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in seven days brings into focus the central challenge facing diplomacy with Washington: how to turn military leverage into a negotiated path without giving up too much in return. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

ANALYSIS | How Anbar’s militias could complicate Iraq’s energy ambitions Securing western Anbar is emerging as a key test of Iraq’s ability to curb armed factions, attract foreign investment & unlock the province’s vast energy potential. @shellykittleson al-monitor.com/originals/202…

What France’s military deployment means for Saudi Arabia’s fight against Houthis New pledges of limited British and French military deployments fall short of what Riyadh would likely need to defend its skies should the Houthis escalate further. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

Saudi Arabia’s return to Hormuz puts oil transfer network to the test For months, Saudi Arabia had been eschewing the Strait of Hormuz, but the kingdom has now resorted to ship-to-ship transfers through the vital waterway. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

Turkey’s UNGA scorecard Erdogan’s New York trip yielded a breakthrough with Iraq but little movement on ties with Washington. al-monitor.com/newsletter/20…

Trump warns Xi over Chinese support for Iran, receives assurances, US envoy says al-monitor.com/originals/202…

EXCLUSIVE: How Syrian Air is braving regional turbulence to rise from the ashes In an interview with @amberinzaman, CEO Anwar Akkad lays out his ambitious plans to expand the carrier’s fleet, destinations and role in reconnecting Syria to the world. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

INTERVIEW | Trump's Africa adviser @US_SrAdvisorAF denies Libya plan would entrench rival families The reported unification plan for Libya has been met with pushback in a country torn apart by rival factions and foreign interference. Via @ElizHagedorn al-monitor.com/originals/202…

Associates of Netanyahu sought to downplay the walkout of dozens of delegates from the UN hall, stressing that envoys from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain stayed put. Still, the premier will have a hard time convincing Israeli voters that he is not isolated internationally. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

ANALYSIS | Can Netanyahu turn Israel's UN isolation into strength at home? The absence of a Trump meeting would have been awkward for Netanyahu, who has long portrayed himself to Israeli voters as uniquely close to the US president. Via @BenCaspit al-monitor.com/originals/202…

‘Free for all or for no one’: Iran warns neighbors over flight bans Several countries in the region have suspended Iranian flights under US sanctions after Washington warned global companies they would no longer have access to the dollar system if they do business with Iranian airlines. al-monitor.com/originals/202…

UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia al-monitor.com/originals/202…