Egypt announces first major archeological discovery of 2021 The latest archeological discovery at Cairo’s Saqqara necropolis includes coffins dating back some 3,000 years, a funerary temple and other treasures. By Alaa Omran
Netanyahu rival hires Lincoln Project for March election Former Likud senior Gideon Saar hopes the veteran American strategists can help him win the next elections and topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
Israel’s chief rabbi calls for day of fasting, prayer for pandemic victims Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau has called on Jews in Israel and across the globe to fast tomorrow and to pray for the dead and infected. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Blinken: 'Vitally important' to engage with Israel, Gulf on Iran nuclear deal Antony Blinken also said the administration would immediately review the terror designation of Yemen's Houthi rebels. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Bahraini king receives award from Trump US President Donald Trump reportedly gave the prestigious Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. By Al-Monitor Staff
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Can Syria be stitched back together again? Not any time soon, says analyst Elizabeth Tsurkov
Iran holds another military drill in the Gulf of Oman Tuesday's ground forces exercise followed naval and drone drills last week, as tensions with the United States continue. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: Biden’s pick for top intelligence official vows to report to Congress on Jamal Khashoggi murder Avril Haines says the Biden administration will release to lawmakers an unclassified intelligence assessment on who was behind the murder of the Saudi dissident journalist. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
UFC star Conor McGregor makes Fight Island debut in Abu Dhabi on Saturday Abu Dhabi has emerged as the global center of the mixed martial arts competition during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Al-Monitor Staff
600 arrested as police, protesters clash in Tunisia The anti-government protests come 10 years after Tunisia's revolution triggered pro-democracy uprisings across the region. By Al-Monitor Staff
Twitter, Pinterest face ad ban in Turkey under new social media law The Turkish government issued advertising bans for Twitter, Periscope and Pinterest Tuesday when the platforms refrained from complying with a controversial social media law human rights advocates say will stifle free speech online. By Diego Cupolo
Iran denies informal talks with Biden team Tehran claims there have been no informal preliminary talks with the incoming US administration, but signs of economic relief are already appearing in Tehran’s forex market. By Al-Monitor Staff
Houthi terror designation could set off Yemen’s oil tanker 'time bomb' Experts say the terrorism label will complicate efforts to secure a decaying oil tanker in the Red Sea that could rupture at any moment and unleash another humanitarian and environmental catastrophe. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Netanyahu proposes international corporation to battle pandemics Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed to six other heads of states that they join forces to combat the current and future pandemics in a more coordinated manner. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Palestinian skeptics not yet sold on elections As the prospect of Palestinian general elections draws near, Palestinians are skeptical about their success as divisions remain between the rival Fatah and Hamas movements. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Netanyahu’s campaign: a superhero challenged by small-time politicians As rivals keep garnering low scores in polls, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu portrays himself as a mega statesman and his opponents as lightweights. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics