Islamic State maintains foothold in Syrian desert The Islamic State continues to cause trouble for the regime forces in large desert areas of central and eastern Syria. By Sultan al-Kanj
Ancient South Sinai city of Saint Catherine to get facelift Egypt has begun implementing the first phase of a project to develop the city of Saint Catherine in South Sinai and promote tourism in the area. By Rasha Mahmoud
Egypt opens mega pharmaceutical city Egypt inaugurated the first of its kind and one of the largest pharmaceutical cities in the Middle East, as the country seeks to become a regional center for the manufacture of medicines. By Ahmed Gomaa
White House faces tough task of tearing down Iran sanctions wall to save nuclear deal In Trump's final days, the White House introduced a slew of new sanctions aimed at hindering a return to the nuclear deal. Yet since the designations were so blatantly politicized, the risk of undoing them is politically manageable. By Mark Fitzpatrick
Iran nuclear talks to resume next week Meetings on the Iran nuclear agreement will continue in Vienna as Iran continues its demand for "Trump sanctions" to be removed. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran releases South Korean ship The Hankuk Chemi tanker was released following an investigation into alleged water pollution, but the real reason for its detention may have been frozen Iranian funds in South Korea. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq, hard hit by COVID-19, sets new daily case record Iraq broke its record for most coronavirus cases in a day Wednesday and the country is far from having enough vaccine doses for its population of around 40 million. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq’s new political parties seek funds from citizens New parties have an uphill battle to compete in Iraq's political system. By Omar al-Jaffal
Israel tells international court it has no jurisdiction for probe Shortly before the deadline for responding, Jerusalem tells the International Criminal Court it has no jurisdiction to open a probe against Israeli soldiers or Israeli decision-makers. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Crackdown on dissent highlights Turkey's drift from democracy A recent decision to nullify a parliamentary vote and ongoing targeting of opposition lawmakers are further evidence of Turkey’s slide away from a democratic system. By Pinar Tremblay
Iraq's Kurdistan region sticks with AstraZeneca vaccine, reports no issues Kurdish authorities say they will continue administering the vaccine following the European Union's conclusion that blood clots should be listed among "rare side effects" of the British-Swedish vaccine. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Report outlines how Iran smuggles arms to Hamas Israel reveals how weapons are being smuggled from Iran to Hamas in Gaza via Yemen and Sudan and then through Egypt. By Adnan Abu Amer
Bloc for toppling Netanyahu now crumbling With Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid on vacation in the United States, and Yamina leader Naftali Bennett changing course, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has the upper hand against the "bloc for change." By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Political bickering stalls Tunisian national dialogue A number of political leaders are calling for the formation of a national salvation government in Tunisia after several successive governments have failed to solve the economic crisis. By Mohamed Ali Ltifi
Israel adopts 'controlled escalation' policy for Iran Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu desperately sees how the tough stance of the Trump administration against the nuclear deal with Iran has now morphed and changed into the Americans feeling their way back to the deal. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense