US protests inspire activists across Middle East In Israel, Palestine, Egypt and Tunisia protesters take up calls for reform in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. By Week in Review
Why is Sirte everyone’s ‘red line’ in Libya? Libya’s coastal city of Sirte, a strategic gateway to major oil facilities, has emerged as a critical point of contention between Turkey and Russia, with France also scrambling to impede Turkey via NATO. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Turkish NBA player's father acquitted of terrorism charges in Turkey Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter is an outspoken critic of the Turkish government, which has led to trouble for his family back home. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi Arabia to reopen Mecca mosques as cases surpass 150,000 Saudi health officials confirmed an additional 4,301 cases of the virus Friday, raising the case count to more than 150,000. By Al-Monitor Staff
Can Trump secure release of all US hostages in Iran? Another prisoner exchange between Iran and the United States seems possible after two in just six months, but the previous exchanges have not generated any mutual trust. By Mark Fitzpatrick
Iraq summons Turkey, Iran as operations against Kurdish groups continue Turkey cites past agreements for its operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party in Iraq, while Iran is also targeting Kurdish groups in the country. By Al-Monitor Staff
Netanyahu considers fourth elections, but ultra-Orthodox object Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be considering going to fourth elections, but his ultra-Orthodox allies won’t hear of that. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
UN nuclear watchdog urges Iran to allow inspections of old sites The watchdog agency's board hadn't issued a formal rebuke of Iran since 2012. By Al-Monitor Staff
Sexual threat against HDP leader’s wife backfires as Turks rally around women A threatening tweet against a jailed Kurdish opposition leader’s wife has Turkey up in arms against the patriarchal mindset that threatens women with sexual violence. By Pinar Tremblay
UAE camel racing to resume following a five-month hiatus The United Arab Emirates announced the resumption of camel racing, coupled with precautionary guidelines, which is among the most popular sports in the Gulf with prizes sometimes reaching millions of dollars. By Kim Kelaita
Israeli security chiefs warn that annexation could ignite the West Bank Israel’s security chiefs are presenting the political echelons all the options and grim scenarios of what could happen if annexation takes place. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Egypt takes Nile dam dispute to UN Security Council Egypt has asked the UN Security Council to weigh in on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam after tripartite negotiations with Ethiopia and Sudan faltered. By Hagar Hosny
Yazidis still negotiating return of kidnapped women, children In the absence of local and international authorities, the Yazidis continue buying back their kidnapped women and children. By Saman Dawod
Iraqi protesters set sights on local governors Protesters in Iraq are demanding that provincial governors be sacked and the killers of demonstrators be found and prosecuted. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Intel: Democrats condemn US broadcasting CEO’s Middle East purges after expanding office’s powers President Donald Trump’s new CEO of the US Agency for Global Media on Wednesday fired the heads of at least three of its outlets who collectively oversaw its Middle East and Iran coverage. The move sparked immediate condemnation from key Democrats despite their previous bipartisan support for expanding the CEO’s powers. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Egypt says dam negotiations with Ethiopia make 'little progress' Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have been discussing Ethiopia's planned filling of its dam on the Blue Nile River all month, but an agreement has yet to be reached. By Al-Monitor Staff