US, allies press Russia to allow UN aid to Syria from Iraq Though the United States and allied countries are working to convince Russia to reopen a border crossing between Iraq and Syria to UN humanitarian aid, Moscow could not only refuse but block aid through other points. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Intel: US sanctions Iran’s interior minister over deadly protests The United States slapped fresh sanctions and visa restrictions on 12 Iranian officials and entities, most accused of serious human rights abuses, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Wednesday. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Intel: Pompeo refused interview on Saudi arms sale investigation before firing Linick Secretary of State Mike Pompeo refused to give an interview for State Department Inspector General Steve Linick’s investigation into a massive Saudi arms sale deal before asking President Donald Trump to fire the watchdog, Al-Monitor has learned. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Iraqi protests resume as new government builds support for reform Demonstrators across Iraq acknowledge the steps taken by the new government to meet their demands, but the massive street protests have resumed with new energy. By Hassan Al-Saeed
Ankara unfolds Hagia Sophia card against COVID-19 crisis Erdogan’s government has signaled it could consider turning the Hagia Sophia Museum into a mosque as part of religious messages aimed at keeping its voter base intact under the strain of economic turmoil, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. By Kadri Gürsel
Qatar triples swap line with Turkey Qatar has offered support to Turkey’s central bank, expanding a currency-swap agreement to $15 billion as Ankara seeks to mitigate economic shocks from the coronavirus pandemic. By Diego Cupolo
Turkey to relax quarantine rules for citizens returning from abroad Instead of completing quarantine in dormitories across Turkey, arrivals from abroad will be allowed to isolate at home for two weeks. By Al-Monitor Staff
Report: Iran-backed militia members enter Syria via Iraq The news from a Syrian pro-opposition group contradicts statements by some Israelis that Iran may be pulling back from Syria. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel advances bill for Shin Bet tracking of coronavirus carriers' phones Israel’s government publishes a proposal for a law with a sunset date of three months that would enable the Shin Bet to track where the mobile phones of coronavirus carriers have been. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egyptians outraged by fatwa against charity to non-Muslims Pressure from angry Egyptians on social media has prompted Dar al-Ifta to withdraw a fatwa limiting regular alms-giving to Muslim recipients. By Shahira Amin
Nile dam talks stall again amid Egyptian-Ethiopian dispute Egypt has addressed a letter to the UN Security Council over Ethiopia’s plan to begin filling the Renaissance dam without prior notification of both Cairo and Sudan, further complicating talks to resolve the dispute. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
Israel’s new foreign minister has other, higher ambitions For Gabi Ashkenazi, his appointment as Israel’s new foreign minister is just the first step in his expected political soar. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Israeli-Chinese ties scrutinized by US Washington might soon demand that Israel pick a side in the security and trade conflict between the United States and China. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israel, Iran trade cyber jabs The April cyberattack on Israel’s water system and a May attack on an Iranian port might be the opening salvoes of a cyber war between Israel and Iran. By Mordechai Goldman
Gulf countries increase virus-related restrictions after new cases The United Arab Emirates and Qatar registered more than 2,000 coronavirus cases between the two of them on Monday alone. By Al-Monitor Staff