The Takeaway: Are Egypt, Ethiopia on brink of water war over Nile dam? Highlights: Trump administration may be last, best bet to head off conflict; Also: Egypt’s fading hookah culture; Basra’s dirty water; Turkey’s currency dump; Amberin Zaman talks Syria, the Kurds and Turkey on new podcast! By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
UAE condemns Turkish and Iranian military interventions in Iraq Turkey and Iran are conducting operations against Kurdish groups in the country. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi-led coalition in Yemen denies civilians targeted in Saada airstrike The Houthi group said 13 civilians, including four children, were killed in a coalition airstrike Monday. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi Arabia approves dexamethasone as coronavirus treatment The kingdom's Ministry of Health has begun using the cheap drug on critically ill patients. By Al-Monitor Staff
Bashar al-Assad’s uncle sentenced to four years in French prison for money laundering A French court convicted Rifaat al-Assad, 82, of misappropriating Syrian public funds to expand his holdings in Europe. By Al-Monitor Staff
Inspired by US protests, Ethiopian-born Israeli ministers battle against police brutality Absorption Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata and Deputy Public Security Minister Gadi Yevarkan, both of Ethiopian origin, are reinforcing their battle against police brutality. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Iranian official criticizes Instagram for 'immorality' The remarks by the head of the Islamic Development Organization follow last month's arrest of a popular Instagram star. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey mum as Syrian Kurds take 'historical step' in unity talks Syria's rival Kurdish groups have announced their initial agreement on a Kurdish unity plan following US-mediated talks that began in April. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran rocked by three honor killings in one month A push for urgent legal reforms and greater public awareness is gaining momentum in Iran after the country reported three gruesome honor killings in less than a month. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey hammers Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq Turkey has sent in special forces to fight the Kurdistan Workers Party in Iraq’s north, putting its soldiers on the ground in the third foreign country this year. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Blue and White lawmakers said to support staged annexation Blue and White Knesset members are reportedly pushing for a staged annexation plan that begins with two settlement blocs. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Intel: Pompeo speaks with Iraq’s new foreign minister Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Iraq’s new Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein by phone on Tuesday. By Al-Monitor Staff
Oman’s state-owned entities change hands As the newly-formed Oman Investment Authority takes over most of the Gulf country’s public assets, questions arise as to whether this is streamlining the administration, economic reform or power consolidation? By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
More world leaders take stand against Netanyahu’s annexation plan Jordan's King Abdullah and leaders of the European Union are now focusing their anti-annexation efforts on the American administration. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Is Turkey already done with executive presidency? Restoring the parliamentary system makes a nifty slogan for the Turkish opposition, but the panacea for the clogged political establishment is more demanding. By Pinar Tremblay
Intel: Assad, wife named in new Syria sanctions The US State Department has warned more sanctions are coming in the weeks and months ahead as part of the Caesar Act. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights