Moscow boosts ties with Tehran as US-Iran tensions escalate While Iran and Russia are trying to limit US influence in the Middle East, the United States lacks the leverage to counter China’s and Russia’s growing influence in the region. By Daniel Hoffman
US to submit UN resolution to extend Iran arms embargo next week: Pompeo The arms embargo is set to expire in October as part of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers. By Al-Monitor Staff
Pentagon contradicts Trump’s claim on Beirut ‘attack’ US Defense Secretary Mark Esper contradicted Donald Trump's suggestion that the explosion in Beirut was an "attack," saying instead that it was likely caused by an accident. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey mulls withdrawing from violence against women treaty Turkey would be the first member state to withdraw from the Council of Europe's 2011 Istanbul Convention. By Al-Monitor Staff
To you A poem reflecting on Beirut's latest tragedy, and the evergreen resilience of its people. By Daria Daniel
Tel Aviv outlines plan to face climate crisis The Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality has unveiled an ambitious plan to meet the challenges of climate change, a first for Israeli cities. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Countries offer help to Lebanon following massive Beirut explosion France, Turkey and Egypt are among the countries that have sent personnel and supplies to help Lebanon recover from Tuesday's explosion that severely damaged much of Beirut. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: US says there’s no ‘winning side’ in Libya The US is amplifying calls to restore oil sharing in Libya in hopes of stabilizing the conflict and likely reducing Hifter's dependence on Russia By Al-Monitor Staff
State Department remains concerned by Turkey’s proxy fighters in northern Syria Turkey-allied fighters have faced widespread accusations of arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings and other abuses in northern Syria. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
The Takeaway: Will catastrophe reshape Lebanon’s social contract? The scoop on the Syrian Kurdish oil deal; Sisi to challenge Erdogan in Iraq and Syria; Lapid leads list of contenders to challenge Bibi; don’t shortchange Iraq’s resilience. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
Despite COVID-19, Israel allows foreign yeshiva students to enter country After a weekslong battle, foreign yeshiva students will be allowed to enter Israel with lenient quarantine requirements. By Mordechai Goldman
Turkish lira slides 2% amid reserves concerns Turkey’s currency slumped 2% against the dollar Wednesday as concerns linger over Central Bank policies and depleted reserves. By Diego Cupolo
KRG seeks US help to rein in Turkish attacks While the United States has denied rumors that a US military delegation met with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party in the Qandil mountains, sources tell Al-Monitor that a team of US special operations forces went to inspect sites damaged in Turkish airstrikes. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Egypt and Sudan suspend Nile River dam talks with Ethiopia The two countries disagreed with new guidelines from Ethiopia on filling the GERD just days into the resumed negotiations. By Al-Monitor Staff
Full-fledged military escalation looms large in Idlib Developments in southern Idlib suggest that a five-month truce could soon come to an end with a fresh regime offensive to capture Syria’s last rebel stronghold. By Metin Gurcan
Has Iraq failed to control drone movement? Iraq is facing a new security challenge with its lack of control of drones, which have been increasingly used in the past months. By Mustafa Saadoun