Biden unlikely to turn back in Iraq Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel says Biden knows Iraq "as well or better than just about anyone." By Week in Review
Pakistan PM says no recognition of Israel until agreement with Palestinians Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan will not recognize Israel until there is a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By Al-Monitor Staff
US threat to shutter Baghdad embassy 'ongoing,' says Syria envoy Outgoing US Syria envoy James Jeffrey says the State Department's threats to close the US Embassy in Iraq is "very serious." By Al-Monitor Staff
Oman opens land borders for citizens, residents The Gulf state's land borders had remained shut to international travel since March. By Al-Monitor Staff
Desperate doctors call for lockdown in Istanbul Turkish medical associations as well as the mayor are appealing to the Turkish government to close down Istanbul as daily deaths reach April levels. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Pompeo reportedly to visit Israeli West Bank settlement The US secretary of state is expected to make an unprecedented visit to Psagot, an Israeli settlement in what is globally recognized as Palestinian territory, on his current trip to the Middle East. By Al-Monitor Staff
With Biden’s election, Israeli left relevant again Now that Joe Biden has been elected as the next president of the United States, Israel’s political left feels revived. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Netanyahu says Israel signed agreement with Pfizer for coronavirus vaccine After realizing that Israel was not prepared for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu himself called the heads of Pfizer and pushed for a deal to be concluded. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
How will US removal of Turkestan Islamic Party from terrorism list affect Syrian file? The Turkestan Islamic Party, which is mainly made up of fighters from the Uighur minority in China and is one the largest non-Syrian fighting group in Idlib, has been removed from the US terrorist exclusion list. By Sultan al-Kanj
Art perseveres in Istanbul despite coronavirus The city’s traditional fall art season is underway as curators take new approaches to exhibit work safely and sustainably during the coronavirus pandemic, despite confusing government restrictions about what would be allowed to go ahead. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Will Sudan hand over Islamists to Egypt? During a recent meeting, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and the head of Sudan's Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan, discussed the handover of members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood to Cairo. By Azza Guergues
Meet Egypt’s first female coach of a men's soccer team Fayza Haidar has become Egypt’s first female coach to train a male soccer team, breaking all norms in a conservative society like Egypt. By Rasha Mahmoud
Jericho entices tourists with Mount of the Temptation The Monastery of the Temptation, where Jesus allegedly spent 40 days, is under consideration for UNESCO's World Heritage List as local officials push sites for religious tourism. By Taghreed Ali
Naftali Bennett offers new, fresh, image with lots of leadership Riding the wave of voters disappointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett offers fresh and pragmatic leadership. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Bahrain appoints crown prince as new prime minister Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa will immediately take over as premier, the state news agency reported. By Al-Monitor Staff