Prominent Turkish lawyer defiant after jail sentence over media trial Eren Keskin, a prominent human rights lawyer, was among four defendants sentenced to prison on terror-linked charges Monday in a newspaper trial that raised concerns over media freedom in Turkey. By Diego Cupolo
UN: Houthi attack on Marib may displace hundreds of thousands The potential for a Houthi offensive poses a major test for the Biden administration. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran's supreme leader demands US action, not talk on nuclear deal As the new administration tries to revive diplomacy with Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Wednesday that "words and promises are no good." By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel in quiet talks with Syria on prisoner swap Israel is reportedly negotiating with Syria on the release of a woman who mistakenly crossed the border in exchange for the release of two Golan residents imprisoned in Israel. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Gaza receives first batch of vaccines Israel approved the shipment after reportedly considering tying the delivery to the release of Israeli captives in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory. By Al-Monitor Staff
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Who are the Syrian Kurdish women fighters who took down the Islamic State? Gayle Tzemach Lemmon tells the inside story
Egypt boosts investment in Congo, hoping to secure support in Nile dam crisis As Egypt seeks to grow its influence in Congo by boosting investments, Kinshasa takes over the chairmanship of the African Union, which is currently sponsoring the negotiations to resolve the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. By Mohamed Saied
Confident Netanyahu makes jokes in rare TV interview Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a rare and surprising interview to Israel’s Channel 12, making jokes and smiling throughout and throwing off the news anchor. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Marwan Barghouti insists on running for president in Palestinian elections Fatah leaders are scrambling to convince imprisoned leader Marwan Barghouti to run in the Fatah list for the legislative elections, and renounce his bid to run for the presidency. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
How Egypt-Gulf consensus can advance peace in Yemen Egypt agreed with the Gulf states on the need to limit Iranian influence in Yemen and support the recent US inclination to end the Yemen war. By Mohammad Hanafi
Islamic Jihad will boycott Palestinian elections The Islamic Jihad announced it will not participate in the upcoming elections under the political auspices of the Oslo Accord, claiming the decision has nothing to do with Iran. By Adnan Abu Amer
Israeli mayor leads Haifa's charge against climate change Haifa Mayor Einat Kalisch-Rotem has put the challenges of climate change and sustainable development at the forefront of her agenda. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Intel: US announces missile sale to Egypt after American activist’s relatives detained The Biden administration appears to be sending mixed signals to Cairo as it vows a firm stance on human rights abuses in the Middle East By Al-Monitor Staff
New Zealand slams Australia for revoking citizenship of IS associate Turkish authorities detained a woman with dual Australia-New Zealand citizenship allegedly affiliated with the Islamic State. By Al-Monitor Staff
Egypt arrests relatives of American activist Mohamed Soltan The latest arrests come three months after Egypt released Soltan's cousins from arbitrary detention. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran begins joint naval exercise with Russia in Indian Ocean India will also join the defense maneuver, according to the Iranian navy. By Al-Monitor Staff