Israel's Netanyahu postpones trip to UAE and Bahrain amid virus surge The prime minister cited Israel's suspension of flights for pushing back the historic trip to the Gulf. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iranian diplomat sentenced to prison for bomb plot on Iranian opposition group The Iranian government strongly condemned the trial. The bomb plot targeted the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Biden's UN pick passes through Senate Foreign Relations Committee The top Democrat on the committee said he trusts Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Iran and Israel, but his Republican counterparts were more critical. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Turkey’s talk of peace with Armenia rings hollow A Turkey analyst reported that Turkey claims to be ready to reconcile with Armenia if Yerevan is willing to "take a step," but is that likely? By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Islamic State officials behind Baghdad bombing killed, prime minister says The strike follows the killing of IS' top official for Iraq near Kirkuk last week. By Al-Monitor Staff
Russian Sputnik V first vaccine to arrive in Iran Iran has officially received its first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine from Russia. By Al-Monitor Staff
Biden to end US support for offensive operations in Yemen President Joe Biden also appointed a special envoy for the war-wrecked country. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Lebanese activist and Hezbollah critic Lukman Slim shot dead Slim was shot while visiting southern Lebanon. The government has vowed an investigation amid speculation on Hezbollah's alleged involvement. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq mourns the first set of remains of Yazidi genocide victims More than six years after the massacre, before their burial in Sinjar on Feb. 4, Iraqis held a funeral for Yazidis who were murdered en masse by the Islamic State in 2014. By Mirza Dinnayi
Four Tunisian soldiers killed during patrol near Algeria border Tunisia's mountainous area is a hotbed of Islamist insurgent activity. By Al-Monitor Staff
How Turkey fits in regime-Kurdish showdown in Syria Some claim that a secret deal between Ankara and Damascus is behind the latest escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurds, but the situation could be more complex than it seems. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
US citizen’s torture suit to test Egypt relations under Biden The Joe Biden administration may take a position on the immunity of Egypt’s former prime minister in a lawsuit brought by an American human rights activist. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
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. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
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. By Alaa Omran
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. By Sultan al-Kanj
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. By Mohammed Hardan