Operation Defensive Shield II will only exacerbate the violence and its price might be extremely high.

The latest setback in negotiations over the maritime border means Nasrallah could very well try to respond soon, perhaps even by testing Israeli nerves in various ways, be it with words or by sending drones. 

Putin, who marks his 70th birthday on Friday, has warned he would use all means necessary, including Russia's nuclear arsenal, to protect Russian soil, which he now says includes four Ukrainian regions.

Iran's intelligence ministry says the two Europeans fomented "insecurity" in Iran.

Sakir Ozkan Torunlar, a senior diplomat who had served as Turkey’s consul general in Jerusalem between 2010 and 2013, was named to the post, Anadolu Agency reported.