Netanyahu mourns Limbaugh, pushes for confrontational path over US-Iran talks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for a confrontational approach vis-a-vis Washington on relaunching talks with Iran, while Defense Minister Benny Gantz favors dialoguing with the Americans. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
UAE dismantling base in Eritrea following drawdown in Yemen Images from The Associated Press show vehicles and structures being removed from the Emirates' military base. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel, US reveal cooperation on Arrow 4 ballistic missile interceptor The Arrow 4 is set to replace the high-altitude Arrow 2 in the coming decades. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Turkey looks to Cyprus to consolidate EastMed gains Even as Ankara and Athens reengage in exploratory talks over long-running maritime disputes, Turkey is pressing ahead in its campaign for a two-state solution on the island. By Sean Mathews
Oldest water tunnel in Palestine yet to be fully explored The Balama tunnel is the most ancient water tunnel discovered in Palestine, but it still needs to be fully explored so it can turn into a tourist attraction. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Does ‘Syrian trio’ of Russia, Iran and Turkey have a future? There are signs that the Astana talks on the Syrian war — which began in 2017 and are sponsored by Moscow, Ankara and Tehran — have little prospect of making progress going forward. By Kirill Semenov
Sisi pledges Egypt's support for interim government in Libya Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with newly elected Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh in Cairo on Thursday. By Al-Monitor Staff
Killings on the rise in Syria's al-Hol camp There were far more deaths than usual in the camp for Islamic State families in January amid calls from the United Nations and Kurdish forces for countries to take back their citizens. By Al-Monitor Staff
NATO to expand its training mission in Iraq to 4,000 troops The Pentagon welcomed NATO's increased contribution to training Iraq's security forces. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Erdogan’s talk of new democratic constitution aims to cement his rule Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggests the possibility of a newly rewritten Turkish Consitution, sparking debate over his real intentions. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
UN calls for Yemen aid, warns Houthis’ Marib offensive ‘must stop’ With millions of Yemenis "just one step away from famine," the UN called on countries to pledge generously at next month's donor conference. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel and Syria close to completing prisoner exchange The deal was held up on Wednesday when two Golan Heights residents refused to be sent to Syria. Israel released two shepherds on Thursday in a bid to finalize the transfer. By Al-Monitor Staff
Four weeks into presidency, Biden places first call to Netanyahu US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday for what surely felt like a long overdue conversation. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Rouhani calls on US to compensate for Trump's 'economic war' President Hassan Rouhani called on the current US administration to undo the harm caused by the previous one, which he said was run by a "crazy person." By Al-Monitor Staff
US, EU diplomats meet to salvage Iranian nuclear pact Secretary of State Antony Blinken met virtually with his European counterparts as the United States seeks to revive diplomacy with Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Egypt's stateless keep receiving empty promises of citizenship Egypt has recently granted citizenship to three brothers from the Sinai Peninsula, renewing calls by other stateless individuals, mainly tribesmen, to receive the citizenship as they are deprived of their most basic rights. By A correspondent in Egypt