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. By Mohamed Sabry
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
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. By Andrew Parasiliti In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, national security
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Diego Cupolo
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi Arabia suspends travel from 20 countries, including US Diplomats, health care workers and their families are exempt from the travel ban. By Al-Monitor Staff
Biden administration makes first call to Turkey National security adviser Jake Sullivan ran through a panoply of regional issues in a call with his Turkish counterpart. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey, proxy fighters accused of 'illegally transferring' Syrians for prosecution Human Rights Watch documented the transfer of at least 63 Syrians to Turkey for prosecution on charges including membership in a terrorist group. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli Labor picks gender warrior Michaeli as its new leader Polls indicate that the election of gender-equality activist Merav Michaeli to head the struggling labor party was a good pick. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Gaza counts Mamluk-era mosque among ancient treasures Gaza’s venerable Al-Thafar Damri Mosque is a reminder of the prestigious history of the Islamic civilization during the Mamluk period. By Taghreed Ali