Turkey senses advantage in shaping Libya negotiations Ankara and Moscow might find common ground in Libya by bringing eastern and western forces to the negotiating table, excluding Khalifa Hifter. Such a prospect, however, would require pressuring Hifter’s backers. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Bedouins say Israeli police ignoring violence in their communities Some characterize the Negev as the Wild West because of the lack of law enforcement. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
Egypt, Italy to ink major arms deal despite human rights concerns Italy is expected to approve its largest ever military deal with Egypt despite opposition from some Italian parties. By A correspondent in Egypt
Netanyahu connects directly with Israelis in new vlog In his new vlog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shows once again that he is a virtuoso when it comes to using social networks to bypass the media and control his messaging. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
China shows greater interest in Syria amid pandemic, US tensions China is looking to increase its influence in war-torn Syria, and using the coronavirus pandemic to accelerate these plans. By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey In Exmouth, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics
Egypt exploits Sudan-Ethiopia tension to advance position in GERD talks As tensions increased between Sudan and Ethiopia, Egypt quickly intervened to push Khartoum to its side as trilateral negotiations on the Nile dam hit a wall over Addis Ababa’s insistence to start filling the dam in July. By Khalid Hassan
Classic cars find life after rust in Ramallah A Palestinian mechanic in Ramallah collects and restores classic cars, bringing relics of the past back to life. By Taghreed Ali
Israel confirms first woman ambassador to Egypt A year and a half after her initial nomination, the Israeli government has finally approved the appointment of Amira Oron as ambassador to Egypt. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Facebook closes accounts linked to Kurdish intelligence in Iraq The accounts were linked to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and targeted its rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Syria’s Kurdish-led alliance sweeps Deir ez-Zor for Islamic State sleeper cells A Syrian Democratic Forces operation dubbed "Deterring Terrorism" nets 17 Islamic State suspects in Syria's Deir ez-Zor province. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
COVID-19 compounds economic crises in Yemen, Jordan, Palestine Recent reports signal conditions going from bad to worse. By Week in Review
Saudi Arabia puts Jeddah under 15-day curfew after virus spike Beginning Saturday, residents of Jeddah must adhere to a curfew from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish soccer gears up for return, haunted by financial woes Turkey’s debt-ridden soccer industry is likely to grow more desperate for government support under the bruising impact of the COVID-19 crisis. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Turkey's Erodgan cancels weekend curfew despite spike in cases Hours after his government announced a weekend curfew for 15 major cities, a public backlash forced Turkey's president to call off the movement restrictions.
Iran dismisses Trump’s offer for talks US President Donald Trump’s latest effort to get Iran to renegotiate the nuclear deal he withdrew from was met with rejection in Tehran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: Pompeo discusses Libya truce with Abu Dhabi's crown prince Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed the need for Libya’s warring parties to cease hostilities during a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, which backs Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter. By Al-Monitor Staff