12 bodies discovered in new mass graves in Libya At least 100 bodies have been discovered since the retreat of Khalifa Hifter's forces from the area earlier this year. By Al-Monitor Staff
UAE cabinet ratifies normalization accord with Israel The cabinet's approval came a day before an Emirati delegation is scheduled to make a first official visit to Israel. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran arms embargo ends with warnings from Washington US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has threatened to sanction countries that engage in weapons trade with Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
First commercial flight from UAE to Israel lands in Tel Aviv Etihad Airways flew to Tel Aviv to bring an Israeli delegation back to Abu Dhabi for trade and tourism talks. Israel and the UAE continue to further ties after normalizing relations in September. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey-backed president's election to reshape negotiations in North Cyprus Northern Cypriots elected right-wing nationalist Ersin Tatar in runoff presidential elections Sunday, likely drawing a new path for peace talks and energy-revenue sharing negotiations amid rising regional tensions. By Diego Cupolo
Iraq's Kadhimi kicks off European tour in Paris Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Khadimi is also slated to visit Germany and the United Kingdom as he looks to deepen economic and security cooperation. By Joe Snell
With expiration of UN embargo, Iran makes pitch for arms sales The UN embargo on Iranian arms sales expired Sunday, and Iranian officials are ready to export weapons. By Al-Monitor Staff
White House official traveled to Syria for secret hostage talks The Wall Street Journal first reported that Kash Patel traveled to Damascus in an effort to secure the release of Americans hostages including Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: Congress urges Egypt’s president to release political prisoners More than 50 US members of the US Congress called for Egyptian journalists, lawyers and rights activists to be released in a letter addressed directly to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey' fears further downward spiral in relations with Saudi Arabia Ankara worries that the "unofficial boycott" is just the start of increased acrimony with Riyadh. By Pinar Tremblay
Killing of Sunni youths prompts calls for end to impunity in Iraq The killing of at least eight Sunni youths from a village in Iraq’s Salahuddin province, allegedly by groups other than the Islamic State, has sparked outcry and demands for non-local forces to be expelled from the region. By Shelly Kittleson
Turkey approaches point of no return on employing Russian air defense system Ankara’s decision to test-fire its controversial Russian missiles, overriding US warnings, appears driven by a combination of motives related to its ties with both Washington and Moscow. By Metin Gurcan
Egypt eyes more economic benefits after signing maritime demarcation deal with Greece Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a presidential decree to ratify the historic agreement signed with Greece on the demarcation of maritime borders, which could help further boost Egypt’s ambition to become a major regional energy hub. By Salwa Samir In Giza, reporting on politics
France, Egypt join forces to reach settlement in Libya Observers are optimistic about the new initiative launched by Paris and Cairo to solve the Libyan crisis. By Ahmed Gomaa
Iraq, Jordan, Egypt economic partnership gains momentum The tripartite meeting between the foreign ministers of Egypt, Jordan and Iraq, and the ensuing agreements to boost cooperation raises questions about a nascent alliance that could confront Iran’s growing influence in the region. By Mohammed Magdy In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics
Jordan backs Egypt in Nile dam dispute Jordan's foreign minister has declared his country's support for Egypt regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, stressing that water security is integral to Arab security. By Hagar Hosny