Iraq's plans to cut salaries face strong backlash The Iraqi government's decision to reduce government employees’ salaries has caused a major uproar among the political forces. By Omar al-Jaffal
Will Israel learn from its past leaders when it comes to annexation? The July 1 deadline is too short a period for a learning curve and Israel’s leaders will wait until the last minute to decide whether to go for a small or large annexation — or none. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Egypt to develop citadel as new hub of Historic Cairo As Egypt gears up to welcome tourists next month, the country’s Supreme Council of Antiquities and Sovereign Wealth Fund signed a contract to develop Cairo’s historical area of Bab al-Azab, where the imposing Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi Citadel is located. By A correspondent in Egypt
Turkey, Italy conduct joint submarine drill in the Mediterranean Other Mediterranean states have criticized Turkish actions in the sea recently. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: Jordan’s King Abdullah pushes Congress to oppose West Bank annexation Jordan’s King Abdullah virtually met with several key lawmakers today, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to reiterate his opposition to “any unilateral measure to annex lands in the West Bank” as laid out under President Donald Trump’s peace plan. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Saudi-led coalition in Yemen intercepts ballistic missile blamed on Houthis A spokesperson for the coalition said the missile was among more than 300 launched by the rebels since 2015. By Al-Monitor Staff
Egypt arrests prominent journalist after Al Jazeera interview Mohamed Monir, 65, is charged with joining a terrorist group and spreading false news. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel kicks party business off beaches An Israeli court has ruled in favor of protecting Israel’s beaches from commercial use such as keeping tents and other equipment on them. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Amberin Zaman breaks down US-Turkey relations and the Kurdish question in Syria
French statue considered offensive by Egyptians back in spotlight Egyptian archaeologists are taking advantage of the global anti-racism movement to renew their calls on the French government to remove a statue of Jean Francois Champollion, who deciphered hieroglyphics, kneeling on the head of a Pharaonic king. By Salwa Samir In Giza, reporting on politics
Intel: European countries set to rebuke Iran at UN nuclear agency Iran is facing a formal rebuke by the United Kingdom, France and Germany at the United Nation’s International Atomic Energy Agency for refusing to cooperate with the agency’s inspection of two sites believed to have housed nuclear research in the past. By Al-Monitor Staff
Amnesty blasts Bahrain, Kuwait for 'highly invasive' COVID-19 tracing apps Amnesty International has warned apps used to trace the movements of possible COVID-19 cases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Norway put the privacy of citizens at risk. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish courts reopen to backlog of press freedom cases The resumption of court hearings in Turkey has press freedom advocates anxious, amid fears of a second COVID-19 wave and ongoing pressure on the media covering the pandemic. By Diego Cupolo
Intel: Trump administration threatens to withhold aid over Jordan’s refusal to extradite convicted terrorist The Donald Trump administration is considering withholding military and economic assistance to aid-dependent Jordan over its continued refusal to extradite a convicted terrorist who helped kill 15 people in a 2001 bomb attack in Israel. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Iran’s Zarif seeks Russian support as US pressure builds The Iranian foreign minister went to Moscow for help against US efforts to extend an arms embargo against Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran’s wildfires leave trail of destruction, lingering questions Wildfires that raged for two weeks turned significant swaths of Iran’s western forests into ash as state bureaucracy dramatically slowed down an efficient response. By An Al-Monitor correspondent