Israeli-developed coronavirus medicine shows promising results The coronavirus medicine developed by the Tel Aviv Ichilov Hospital shows promising results, thus offering hope to patients. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Turkey to purchase fourth drilling ship to expand energy projects Amid maritime boundary disputes in the eastern Mediterranean and after a 2020 gas field discovery the Black Sea, Turkey’s state-owned oil and gas company is finalizing the purchase of a fourth drilling ship to expand its energy development activities. By Diego Cupolo
Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from prison Hathloul, who was arrested after campaigning for women's driving rights, had spent nearly three years in prison. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel’s military skirts budget restrictions for $9 billion air force upgrade The IDF will use a chunk of US aid and foreign borrowing to help fund its planned expansion of the air force's strike range By Al-Monitor Staff
UAE diplomat Gargash replaced in Cabinet reshuffle Gargash will serve as diplomatic adviser to the Emirati president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey aims for moon by 2023 as UAE reaches Mars Turkey's president announced he wants to send a spacecraft to the moon by Turkey's centennial the same day regional rival the United Arab Emirates reached Mars. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey escalates attacks against PKK rebels across northern Iraq Ankara says it has captured a PKK militant responsible for "logistics," while also launching a new operation against the group in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. By Al-Monitor Staff
What’s next for Turkey in Libya after election of new interim leaders? Universal goodwill messages to Libya’s new interim leadership indicate how complex the Libyan file has become for all foreign actors in the country ahead of potentially clamorous elections in December. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Pandemic forces Iran to cancel mass marches for revolution anniversary Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Iran’s state-organized marches marking the anniversary of its 1979 revolution had to be reduced to vehicle parades. Yet Iranian officials found their own ways to address tensions with the West. By Al-Monitor Staff
Houthis claim responsibility for drone attack on Saudi airport The attack comes less than a week after the US administration announced it was rescinding the Iran-aligned group's terror designation. By Al-Monitor Staff
Can Hamas run — and win — on its record in Gaza? With legislative elections just three months away, Hamas is trying to rally its factions and constituents on a unified program. By Adnan Abu Amer
Egypt back as ringmaster as Palestine talks progress Egypt seems to be regaining its regional status as peacemaker in the Palestinian file as ties warm with its allies. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Grand Mufti of Egypt says OK for Muslims to build churches The Grand Mufti of Egypt issued a fatwa permitting Muslims to work in church construction, which sparked controversy on social media with activists recalling previous fatwas on Salafist websites prohibiting such works. By A correspondent in Egypt
Who benefits from attacks on Turkish forces in Idlib? Repeated attacks on Turkish posts and soldiers in Idlib are obstructing Turkish efforts to reopen the M4 international highway and cement the cease-fire, raising questions about the parties behind the attacks. By Khaled al-Khateb
With one leg, this Gazan parkour star crosses besieged enclave Official authorities in the Gaza Strip do not recognize parkour as an official sport, but it has become the only breathing space for many young people in the enclave. By Hana Salah
Displaced Syrians left out in rain by HTS government's building fees The Syrian Salvation Government has imposed construction fees on displaced citizens trying to build homes in Idlib, raising the costs beyond what many can afford. By Mohammed Hardan