Israeli, Emirati diplomats meet in Germany The meeting was the countries' first since signing a normalization agreement last month. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey targets Yazidi militia in Iraq over PKK links The Sinjar Resistance Units have been targeted by Turkish forces in Iraq for its connection with the Kurdistan Workers Party. By Saad Salloum
Iranian currency dips to historic low amid sanctions, pandemic, foreign policy decisions Iran has seen the rial’s value fall by almost half this year as the currency now stands at a record low against the US dollar, triggered by ongoing sanctions, coronavirus restrictions and, according to some experts, Iran's foreign policy adventures since the 1979 revolution. By Joe Snell
Facebook rebuffs Turkey’s controversial social media law Facebook told Turkish civil society members it would not comply with Ankara’s new social media law over concerns it would limit free speech rights, setting the stage for possible fines and access blocks on the platform as other social media companies consider their options. By Diego Cupolo
US judge orders Iran pay $1.45 billion to family of ex-FBI agent presumed dead Iran has been ordered to pay Robert Levinson's family $1.35 billion in punitive damages and $107 million in compensatory damages. By Al-Monitor Staff
New Kuwaiti emir keeps government in place until elections next month Emir Sabah seeks unity ahead of Nov. 28 elections. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran criticizes Turkey’s role in Nagorno-Karabakh conflict A top adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has called on Turkey to help resolve the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia rather than "add fuel to the fire." By Al-Monitor Staff
Chevron becomes operator of two Israeli natural gas fields US gas and petrol giant Chevron is now the owner of Nobel Energy and the operator of Israel natural gas fields Tamar and Leviathan. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Rights groups ask Germany to investigate Syria’s use of chemical weapons The criminal complaint covers attacks on rebel territory in Eastern Ghouta in 2013 and Khan Sheikhoun in 2017. By Al-Monitor Staff
'Black Flag' anti-Netanyahu movement turning Israel upside down The Blue and White party is challenged by the anti-Netanyahu Black Flag movement, which is gaining tremendous momentum. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Palestinians ready to talk peace after US presidential election, says top Abbas adviser Majdi Khaldi, senior diplomatic adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, says the Palestinians are ready for an international peace conference in early 2021, noting that a Biden administration would be "more committed to international law." By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Is Israel heading toward civil war? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s growing incitement, the deepening economic crisis, the battle over demonstrations and ultra-Orthodox coronavirus infections are taking Israel several steps closer to a civil war. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Ethiopian ambassador to Cairo vows to bridge gaps over Nile dam In an interview with Al-Monitor, the new Ethiopian ambassador to Egypt speaks about the stalled negotiations with Egypt and Sudan over the controversial dam Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile River. By Mohammed Magdy In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics
Why Syrians are joining Turkey in Nagorno-Karabakh clash Al-Monitor spoke with Syrian opposition fighters who joined the fight in Azerbaijan. Here is what they had to say. By Sultan al-Kanj
Palestinian man builds vintage car in his own garage A Palestinian owner of a car showroom in the West Bank manufactured his own vintage vehicle in a small workshop during the coronavirus lockdown. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Canada suspending arms exports to Turkey amid Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said he is suspending the permits pending an investigation. By Al-Monitor Staff