Palestinian car-ramming suspect shot dead as tensions over West Bank rise The Israeli army says the Palestinian teenager deliberately hit a soldier with his car in a settlement near Hebron. By Al-Monitor Staff
Secret operation brings Israelis stranded in Morocco back home In a complicated operation, Israelis stuck in Morocco because of the coronavirus were finally brought home. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Syrians held in Turkish prison 'in breach of international law,' advocates say Scores of Syrians detained after Turkey's Operation Peace Spring began in October have been accused of links to the Kurdistan Workers Party and moved to a prison in Sanliurfa, Turkey. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Have taxes killed GCC economic integration? Saudi Arabia's recent decision to increase its value-added tax by 200% could spell the end of chances for regional economic integration and policy coordination. By Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
Pentagon says Damascus, Moscow exploit discontent in Kurdish-controlled Syria A US military report accuses Russia and the Syrian regime of using Arab discontent in eastern Syria to undermine the Kurdish-led administration. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Iranian tanker on way to Venezuela despite US pressure The tanker passed through the Suez Canal on Wednesday. By Al-Monitor Staff
PKK attacks Turkish military base in Kurdistan Region of Iraq The attack comes amid intra-Kurdish tensions in Iraq over the PKK's and Turkey's presence in the country. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Don’t 'turn a blind eye' to Libya, UN agencies warn Seven United Nations agencies called for a cease-fire in war-torn Libya that would allow local authorities and humanitarian organizations to focus on the coronavirus outbreak. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran rejects US plan to reenter nuclear deal to trigger sanctions return In Iran's media review today, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that the United States has left the nuclear deal and plans to reenter are "idiotic." By Al-Monitor Staff
Kuwait sees coronavirus jump as lockdown holds Kuwait has registered 947 coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours as the country continues its total lockdown. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli unity government sidelines pro-settler party Israel's impending unity government leaves out pro-settler Yamina, which accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using it before pushing it out of the new coalition. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Turkey’s intervention in Libya turns tide to Erdogan’s advantage, for now Ankara has thrown in its lot with the Government of National Accord for reasons that have more to do with its own interests than Libya’s. By Semih Idiz
Sisi grants army more powers under state of emergency Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi approved new amendments to the emergency law, granting the army the right to arrest and prosecute civilians in clear violation of the constitution and the law, according to human rights activists. By A correspondent in Egypt
Pompeo forges ties with Ashkenazi as Israeli government diversifies The US administration knows that the new government in Israel means that the days of working only with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are over. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Why is US pushing unworkable plan to renew Iran arms ban? Two years after the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, the administration is looking extend the UN ban on conventional arms sales to and from Iran, a strategy designed to kill the deal for good and benefit President Donald Trump whether it succeeds or not. By Mark Fitzpatrick
The Takeaway: Irreconcilable differences between NATO allies? Turkey targets US-backed Kurds in Syria Also, Biden adviser criticizes Trump policy on Iran, but says sanctions “very effective”; Expat labor is biggest loser in Saudi cutbacks; Egyptian actor speaks up about transgender son; more! By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security