Egypt drops decade-old charges against NGOs An Egyptian investigative judge recently dropped charges against 20 NGOs involved in the 2011 foreign funding case that has raised global condemnation, in a move seen as a gesture of goodwill to the United States in order to unfreeze military aid. By A correspondent in Egypt
Egypt-Sudan hold military exercise amid crisis with Ethiopia Egypt and Sudan hold military drills amid a deadlock in talks with Ethiopia to reach a binding agreement on filling and operation of Ethiopian dam project on the Nile. By Mohamed Sabry
Syria’s agonizing decade: Crisis and stalemate A US-Russia showdown over humanitarian border crossings stymies the UN peace process after 10 years of misery. By Week in Review
UAE sends medical and food aid to Syria The United Arab Emirates is calling on other countries in the region and around the world to repair ties and cooperate with the Syrian government amid the ongoing civil war. By Al-Monitor Staff
Bitter blame game in Iran amid coronavirus ‘explosion’ Iranian authorities are pointing the finger of blame at one another over the chaotic management of the recent skyrocketing COVID-19 infection rates. By Al-Monitor Staff
Who benefits if Erdogan scraps key maritime treaty? A warning by more than 100 retired Turkish admirals against scrapping an 85-year-old maritime treaty restricting foreign military presence in the Black Sea coincides with rising tensions between Russia and Western-backed Ukraine in the region. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Turkey’s talk of pulling out of the Montreux Convention part diversion, part 'Ataturk envy' It's unclear if talk of Turkey pulling out the 1936 maritime treaty will be followed by any action, but the discussion should not be taken lightly. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Will Turkey’s third largest party survive closure case? The fate of Turkey’s main Kurdish political movement remains in limbo even though the Constitutional Court last week rejected an indictment seeking the closure of the party. By Sibel Hurtas
Houthi forces claim drone attack on Saudi airbase A Houthi military spokesperson said the attack on King Khalid Air Base was successful but the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted the drones. By Al-Monitor Staff
Four soldiers injured in suspected Israeli airstrikes on Syria Israeli missiles struck areas around Damascus, according to Syria's state media outlet. By Al-Monitor Staff
Sudanese rivals sign agreement to separate state from religion The head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, Abdelaziz al-Hilu, signed the Declaration of Principles agreement, paving the way for peace in Sudan. By Baher al-Kady
First pharmaceutical factory opens in Syrian opposition area The first pharmaceutical factory in the opposition-controlled areas in northwestern Syria was inaugurated, in a bid to address the lack of medicines and high prices. By Khaled al-Khateb
EgyptAir seeks additional flights to Tel Aviv Israeli media outlets hailed EgyptAir’s decision to operate and increase the number of flights to Tel Aviv as a sign of a boost in Israel-Egypt ties. By George Mikhail
Kurdish forces agree to deliver oil, Syrian regime reopens crossings The Syrian government has reopened crossings between the areas it controls and those held by Kurdish-led forces in northeast Syria in exchange for oil shipments. By Mohammed Hardan
Israeli construction plan to encircle Jerusalem The Jerusalem municipality has moved forward on 540 new housing units in the controversial Har Homa neighborhood across the Green Line, a plan that will encircle Jerusalem on three sides. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Hamas boosts military capabilities amid preparations for Palestinian elections Israeli military sources revealed that Iran’s aid has helped Hamas’ military arm achieve gradual military progress in the Gaza Strip and boost its rockets and drones production capabilities. By Adnan Abu Amer