Turkey strikes PKK targets in Iraqi Kurdistan Sulaimaniyah province It is less common for Turkey to bomb the Kurdish armed group there. More of the Turkey-PKK conflict in Iraq takes place in Dahuk near the Turkish border. By Al-Monitor Staff
IMF calls for Lebanon reforms, explores ways to assist Beirut The International Monetary Fund, which began talks with Lebanon in May, called for critical economic reforms in the aftermath of the Beirut blast. By Al-Monitor Staff
Google closes YouTube accounts linked to Iranian government Facebook took similar actions against apparent Iranian misinformation. By Al-Monitor Staff
Trump administration goes for ‘360 degree’ diplomacy to help end Libya war White House calls for cease-fire as Egypt-Turkey rivalry spills over into eastern Mediterranean. By Week in Review
Intel: Amid maritime deal with Egypt, Greece invites UN court to settle sea dispute with Turkey Greek Prime Minister suggests that if no agreement can be reached, his country's dispute with Turkey over a maritime boundary should go to an international court. By Joe Snell
Israel shoots down drone near Lebanon border The drone incident comes as the Israeli military braces for retaliation from Lebanese militant group Hezbollah along its northern border. By Al-Monitor Staff
Currency tumult hits Turkey’s credit-driven revival Apprehension is rife in Turkey that a loan-driven economic warm-up could devolve into major turmoil in the fall, with Ankara’s dubious management of the coronavirus pandemic feeding the unease. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Lebanese president says 'foreign interference' possible in Beirut blast As investigations into Tuesday's deadly explosion continue, conspiracy theories abound. By Al-Monitor Staff
Incendiary balloons may spell end of quiet on Israel-Hamas border The rocket fired from Gaza at the beginning of the week and the incendiary balloons yesterday, might signal that the six months of quiet on the Israel-Hamas border are now over. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israel's Liberman appoints himself project manager for Netanyahu’s removal Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman is determined to bring about the toppling of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in any elections to come. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
After 30-year hiatus, French archaeological mission returns to Iraq The French excavation mission succeeded in uncovering a network of large water channels, a port, houses and a large temple, as well as clay tablets in the city of Larsa, a capital city in the Babylonian era. By Adnan Abu Zeed
The lesser of two evils: Yemen’s Bahais from prison into exile Shortly after their release, six members of the Bahai community in Yemen were sent into exile, in a stark example of the political climate in this war-ravaged country. By A correspondent in Yemen
22 mummies to parade across Cairo Preparations are almost ready for the transfer of 22 pharaonic mummies from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat. By Doaa Fareed
Only Trump can revive Netanyahu’s annexation plan While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu produces excuses and scapegoats, the only way for his annexation plan to stay alive is if President Donald Trump decides it can help him get reelected. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Gulf investment woes, COVID economic crisis converge in Egypt Gulf state support to Egypt — whether through official aid, central bank deposits or capital investment flows — has not been consistent in the past, so will investments and aid help Egypt through a coronavirus-induced recession? By Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
Beirut rallies to clear wreckage in wake of blast Citizens assess the damage, pick up the pieces and express anger at politicians whom they blame for the crisis. By Wael Taleb