Baptismal relic latest focus of opposing narratives The Israeli authorities have stolen an archaeological stone relic from the home of a Palestinian official in the West Bank, claiming it was Israel’s in the first place. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
The Takeaway: It’s time to get ‘clear-eyed’ about Russian threat to US forces, says US Rep. Elissa Slotkin Highlights: Slotkin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, discusses US policy in the Middle East in new podcast; Three reasons Erdogan says he backs Azerbaijan ‘till the end’ in conflict with Armenia; Israeli Knesset moves to outlaw gay conversion therapy. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Egypt kills 18 militants in foiled Sinai attack, army says Two Egyptian military personnel died and four were wounded in an operation in the Sinai Peninsula July 21. By Al-Monitor Staff
Jordan resuming domestic flights out of largest airport Jordan is planning to resume domestic flights and international flights next month. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: Key senator mounts bid to force Trump to declassify report on Soleimani strike The top Democrat on the Senate’s Middle East panel isn’t dropping the fight to force the Donald Trump administration to declassify the legal justification for the January strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in Iraq. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
UAE says prayers to be at home for upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday Countries in the region are beginning to issue restrictions pertaining to COVID-19 and the holiday. By Al-Monitor Staff
Is this the end of Turkish secularism? Radical Islamist ideas are not only winning out in Turkey, but getting cheerful approval from the last remnants of the secular establishment. By Pinar Tremblay
Hezbollah says its soldier killed by Israeli airstrike in Syria Hezbollah previously said it would respond to any deadly attacks of its soldiers in Syria by Israel. By Al-Monitor Staff
East Mediterranean tensions flare as Turkey seeks leverage in maritime border talks Surveying activities by a Turkish ship in the eastern Mediterranean Sea have put Greek forces on high alert as Ankara seeks leverage in regional maritime border disputes. By Diego Cupolo
Qatar mandates testing, home quarantine for international travelers The new requirements for travel come as Qatar continues its phased reopening of the economy. By Al-Monitor Staff
Women journalists in northwest Syria brave daily dangers Syrian female journalists face challenges and abuse just for being women. By Hasan Arfeh
Netflix Turkey cancels new series with gay character after government pressure Netflix Turkey's decision to cancel a series with a gay character due to government pressure indicates that LGBTI+ society and rights are increasingly coming into the government's crosshairs. By Kenan Behzat Sharpe
Qatar Airways sues Saudi Arabia, UAE, others over airspace closure Qatar's flagship airline is seeking billions in damages from the 2017 diplomatic crisis. By Al-Monitor Staff
What China-Iran deal means for Washington China's reported multibillion economic and security deal with Iran could be a double-edged sword. By Daniel Hoffman
Knesset moves to outlaw conversion therapy in Israel Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties are angry with their coalition allies in the Blue and White for supporting a bill criminalizing conversion therapy for homosexuals. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman US Rep. Elissa Slotkin: US should be ‘clear eyed’ about Russian attempts to ‘thwart, target and engage’ US forces