Iraq to shutter displacement camps Iraq is working on closing all displacement camps this year and to return the displaced people to their homelands. By Omar al-Jaffal
Canada cancels permits for drone technology sales to Turkey Ottawa previously suspended the exports after Canadian components were used in the Nagorno-Karabakh war. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran's foreign minister calls attack on nuclear site 'bad gamble' Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday's explosion at the Natanz nuclear facility will "strengthen" Iran amid ongoing indirect talks with the United States on the nuclear deal. By Al-Monitor Staff
State Department sends official to Beirut as stalemate drags on Undersecretary for Political Affairs David Hale is the highest-ranking US official to visit Beirut under the new administration. By Al-Monitor Staff
Will waqf expansion strengthen Jordan’s control of Jerusalem holy sites? The Jerusalem Waqf Council is now witnessing changes after years of no activity. With the change of names and an increase in the number of representatives, is the council now more or less representative of the Palestinians? By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Diplomatic gridlock only sure bet for Israel’s next government Whatever it ends up looking like, it's clear that the next Israeli government won’t pursue negotiations with the Palestinians. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak The gold industry in Gaza has thrived amid the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in terms of increased production locally and enhanced quality and availability of a variety of gold products and jewelry. By Hana Salah
Israel on high alert after Natanz blast Israel is in a state of alert after the explosion at Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Tunisia courts Egypt amid presidential dispute with Islamist Ennahda party Tunisian President Saied Kais recently paid his first visit to Egypt since assuming power in 2019, in what analysts say is a move aimed at cementing relations in the face of the Muslim Brotherhood. By Ahmed Nadhif
Egypt ramps up pressure on Ethiopia over Nile dam US officials are skeptical of Cairo warnings to Ethiopia, even as Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's government expands defense ties in East Africa. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
EU hits Iranian officials with sanctions over human rights abuses The eight individuals sanctioned include the head of the Revolutionary Guards and the commander of the Basij forces. By Al-Monitor Staff
EU-Turkey partnership: Anything but honest The latest visit by top European Union officials to Ankara has shown that the European Union has effectively turned its back to its avowed core principles and values vis-a-vis Erdogan. By Cengiz Candar
Iran's authorities reopen wounds of 2019 deadly crackdown One and a half years after they crushed the November 2019 protests with an iron fist, Iranian authorities are not just dodging responsibility, but they are also adding insult to injury. By Sarbas Nazari
Egypt, Uganda agree to share military intelligence A military intelligence cooperation agreement between Egypt and Uganda comes just days after the failure of the Kinshasa negotiations regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis. By George Mikhail
Lebanon expands maritime territorial claim amid dispute with Israel Last year's talks between Israel and Lebanon on their gas-rich Mediterranean Sea border failed to yield an agreement. By Al-Monitor Staff
US denies involvement in attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear site Iran has blamed Israel for the attack on its Natanz nuclear site. By Al-Monitor Staff