Lebanon’s intelligence chief visited Damascus amid efforts to free Austin Tice Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim suggested efforts to secure the American journalist's release continued after Ibrahim visited Washington last month. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran's Rouhani announces new nationwide closures With coronavirus cases and deaths rising again, Iran has announced new closures. By Al-Monitor Staff
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Moallem dies at 79 The career diplomat was a steadfast supporter of the Syrian president's bloody crackdown on the opposition. By Al-Monitor Staff
Egypt announces largest archaeological discovery yet Speaking to Al-Monitor, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt Mustafa Waziri praised the efforts of the Egyptian missions unveiling major archaeological discoveries in the Saqqara area. By Rasha Mahmoud
Opposition leader sees warning in Russian cease-fire violations in Syria The Syrian Opposition Coalition's president blames Russia for the failure of political process. By Shelly Kittleson
Turkey's space program not yet ready for takeoff Turkey’s ambitious space program has made some concrete achievements, but Ankara has yet to resolve structural and financial problems snagging development in the sector. By Metin Gurcan
Sisi talks Turkey, East Med tensions, in visit to Greece Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was in Athens amid common hostility toward Turkish activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. By Sean Mathews
Iraqi KRG checkpoints part of crackdown on PKK Turkish attacks on the PKK in Iraq's Kurdistan Region have forced the KRG to increase checkpoints and security. By Joe Snell
Iraqi armed factions form Sharia Youth group Several Shiite armed groups, which in recent months have targeted the US presence in Iraq, are setting up youth groups to prepare the next generation. By Shelly Kittleson
Israel opens bidding for project in east Jerusalem Days after the election of US President-elect Joe Biden, Israel is taking bids for the construction of 1,257 housing units in the Jewish Givat Hamatos neighborhood in east Jerusalem. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
On Israel with Ben Caspit Netanyahu scrambles to reset ties with Democrats after best ever relations with Trump Ben Caspit
Israeli-Arab Knesset member sparks controversy with outreach to Netanyahu Tired of being sidelined and excluded, an Israeli-Arab Knesset member flashes willingness to deal with Netanyahu and rethink role of Israeli-Arabs in parliament. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
Egyptian man in Cairo's Tahrir Square sets himself on fire The incident took place at the rallying point for Egypt's 2011 revolution. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: US to activate air defense batteries to test Israel's Iron Dome Both Iron Domes are expected to arrive at Fort Bliss by January By Al-Monitor Staff
Should Turkish justice minister's comments fuel hope for release of philanthropist Osman Kavala? Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul spoke out against the widespread practice of arbitrary detentions Friday, fueling speculation that Turkish philanthropist and civic activist Osman Kavala, who has been in jail for more than three years on a slew of outlandish charges, may be finally freed. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Intel: US blames ‘scheduling issue’ for no Pompeo-Erdogan meeting A State Department official said Pompeo's "tight schedule" will keep him from meeting Turkish officials when in Istanbul next week. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights