Israel cracks down on Hamas as Palestinian election nears Israel continues to pursue leaders of the Hamas movement in the West Bank, namely Hamas candidates in the legislative elections in a bid to undermine the movement's chances to win the vote. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Israel celebrates Independence Day with taste of peace Israelis experience peace with Emiratis, Bahrainis and Moroccans, the way they never experienced it with their Egyptian or Jordanian neighbors. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
US, Turkish forces in Iraq targeted in separate attacks A Turkish soldier was killed northeast of Mosul shortly after NATO and US officials announced they will withdraw from Afghanistan this year. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
UN experts warn of uptick in settler violence against Palestinians In the first three months of 2021, the UN human rights experts documented 210 incidents of violence against Palestinians. By Al-Monitor Staff
Survey: Increasing number of Israelis would support Arab party joining government The survey by the Israeli human rights group also concluded that most Israelis and Palestinians believe the International Criminal Court's probe into alleged Israeli crimes will not affect policy. By Al-Monitor Staff
Russian FM talks Nile dam, defense cooperation in Egypt trip Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also discussed Libya and Syria with Egypt's leaders By Al-Monitor Staff
The Takeaway: Sudan not occupying Ethiopian territory, says Sudan’s ambassador to US Highlights of our exclusive interview with Nureldin Satti, Sudan’s ambassador to the United States; quick takes on Israel, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Egypt, Kuwait and China; and Gaza’s shelter for stray dogs! By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
Iran not backing down in Middle East, US intel report says The Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign did not stop Tehran's ambitions in the region, ODNI report suggests. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: US endorses watchdog report blaming Syria for chemical attack The report from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found "reasonable grounds" to believe that the Syrian air force dropped chlorine on a rebel-held town in northwestern Syria in 2018. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Sudan hoping for shift in Ethiopian position on Nile Dam talks, says Nureldin Satti, Sudan’s Ambassador to US
Russian FM’s visit to Egypt helps counter Erdogan’s regional moves Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to Cairo is seen as a further cementing of increasing Russian-Egyptian ties and as a counterpoint to the Ukrainian president's visit to Turkey. By Kirill Semenov
Turkey tightens COVID-19 restrictions as Ramadan holy month begins Responding to a surge in new cases, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced tighter COVID-19 restrictions for the first two weeks of Ramadan, saying measures could be extended if current trends continue. By Diego Cupolo
European powers voice 'grave concern' over Iran's uranium enrichment plan Following the alleged Israeli attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility, Tehran has announced it will enrich uranium to 60% purity. By Al-Monitor Staff
Another crash in Egypt leaves 20 dead The road accident near the Nile River follows deadly train and boat incidents in the North African country earlier this year. By Al-Monitor Staff
Libya and Greece agree to resume talks on Mediterranean Sea border Libya's new unity government has had warm relations with Greece so far, but there are remaining issues on energy drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean that also involve Turkey and Egypt. By Al-Monitor Staff