Citing rights abuses, House Democrats push administration to snub Saudi-hosted G-20 summit Lawmakers said the US government has an obligation to ensure such gatherings are not used to distract from ongoing human rights violations. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Intel: UN Libya envoy ‘very optimistic’ about cease-fire as civilian travel set to reopen Acting UN Libya envoy Stephanie Williams said Wednesday the two sides agreed to cooperate on restructuring the forces that guard petroleum fields. By Al-Monitor Staff
Knesset speaker disqualifies vote to probe Netanyahu in submarine affair Israel’s opposition lawmakers are furious over Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein's decision to nullify a vote to probe the prime minister in the notorious submarine affair. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Fight Island in Abu Dhabi concludes Saturday with main event featuring Khabib Nurmagomedov The undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov will face American Justin Gaethje in an isolated section of Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, which was set up to host the major mixed martial arts event. By Al-Monitor Staff
Massive war games light up Iran's skies Leaders of Iran’s armed forces said they were testing air defense preparedness in a large-scale exercise involving half of the country’s airspace. By Al-Monitor Staff
'Mr. Security' Netanyahu discovers: security last thing on Israelis’ minds Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now discovering that with the raging pandemic and economic crisis, security is the last thing on Israelis’ minds. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
UN project hopes to preserve Iraq’s marshlands A new UN-funded cultural project has been launched in the Ahwar of Southern Iraq to save the inhabitants of the marshlands from poverty. By Adnan Abu Zeed
Turkey on course to strategic partnership with Ukraine Turkey’s thriving collaboration with Ukraine in key defense industry projects seems to be edging toward a strategic partnership that could challenge Russia’s standing in the Black Sea region. By Metin Gurcan
Misfiring trade policies could lead Iran to deeper trade deficit Iran is working to develop non-oil exports in the face of US sanctions, but the country's trade policies are in dire need of reform before real progress will be feasible. By Navid Kalhor
Some Syrians prefer Idlib over areas under control of Turkish-backed armed groups While security chaos is deemed limited in Idlib, areas under the control of Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army factions are suffering from poor security conditions amid frequent assassinations and bombings targeting civilians and military personnel. By Sultan al-Kanj
Egypt promotes birth control to slow population growth The Egyptian government is launching a series of projects and campaigns to raise awareness about the country’s growing population and the negative impact it has on available resources. By Mohamed Sabry
Defying COVID 19-induced crisis, Israelis launch food takeaway services from home On the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis and growing unemployment rate, some Israelis have decided to start takeaway and cooking services straight from their home kitchens. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
First UAE delegation visits Israel amid Palestinian opposition Palestinians continue to oppose the UAE's normalization with Israel, as UAE and Israeli officials sign agreement on visa-free travel in Tel Aviv today. By Al-Monitor Staff
Berkshire Hathaway to pay $4.1 million over alleged Iran sanctions violations The US Treasury Department says one of Berkshire's Turkish subsidiaries shipped goods that it knew would be resold to Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq invites international bidders to Mansuriya gas field As Baghdad feels added strain from OPEC+ production cuts and continuing economic woes, the country invites international energy companies to compete for oil and gas development. By Joe Snell
Kuwait’s new emir urges national unity in run-up to elections Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah told lawmakers he would follow in the footsteps of the late emir. By Al-Monitor Staff