Jerusalem deputy mayor advances embassy district Jerusalem's deputy mayor responsible for international affairs, Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, is promoting a plan to develop an embassy district in the south of the city. Israel
Egypt fines farmers for wasting water as Nile dam crisis drags on Cairo has begun fining farmers for inefficient irrigation practices as it promotes a series of projects to enhance water security. Egypt
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham shuts down arms stores across Idlib The Syrian Salvation Government in Idlib issued a decision to shut down all weapons stores in the areas under its control as a result of accidental shootings and explosions taking place inside these stores. Syria
Russia, Iran compete for influence in Syria via private security companies Private security companies in Syria with ties to Russian and Iranian forces are busily recruiting young men with attractive salaries. Syria
Egypt seeks completion of pan-African road through 10 countries to Cape Town Egypt plans to work with nine other countries to complete the construction of a highway linking the country’s north to Cape Town in South Africa by 2024, with hopes of expanding trade in the African continent. Egypt
Syria reports Israeli airstrikes in south The news follows reports of suspected Israeli airstrikes against Iranian and Syrian military targets in the country in December and January. Syria
The Takeaway: Egypt welcomes US mediation to help break high-stakes deadlock over Nile dam Motaz Zahran, Egypt’s ambassador to the United States, says Ethiopia has "no political will" to resolve dam dispute; who’s buying Golani’s makeover?; former ambassador to United States says Israel needs "united front" against Iran nuclear deal; Egypt’s first female mixed martial arts fighter. Egypt
State Department condemns Turkey's anti-LGBT rhetoric against protesters Turkey's president and other officials have used inflammatory anti-gay rhetoric to describe the student-led protests in Istanbul. Turkey
Initial data from Israel unclear on preventing infections Data from Israel's vaccination campaign only shows the vaccine against COVID-19 prevents serious illness so far. Israel
Tax injustice worsens in Turkey Two-thirds of the Turkish government’s tax revenues have come from indirect taxes on consumption, adding to the burden of low- and middle-income groups. Turkey
Timur Goksel, former Al-Monitor editor and UN diplomat, dies Timur Goksel, a former UN diplomat and editor of Al-Monitor’s Turkey Pulse, was best known for his unique contributions to the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. Lebanon
UN’s highest court to hear Iran sanctions case against US The Hague-based International Court of Justice will consider an Iranian lawsuit filed after the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed economic sanctions. Iran
Erdogan likens students to terrorists, condemns Bogazici rallies Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan likened protesting students to terrorists in a speech Wednesday, condemning ongoing demonstrations over the appointment of a government-linked rector to Istanbul’s Bogazici University. Turkey
Iran says 'best response' for US forces to leave Iraq Officials in Tehran renewed calls for an end to the American military presence in neighboring Iraq as a response to the US killing of Iran’s top commander Qasem Soleimani. Iraq
Turkish police seize several tons of illegal alcohol High taxes on liquor have created a market for illicit liquor in Turkey and police are cracking down. Turkey
Saudi Arabia suspends travel from 20 countries, including US Diplomats, health care workers and their families are exempt from the travel ban. Saudi Arabia
