Calls to get rid of Ottoman legacy emerge in Egypt In conjunction with the anniversary of the Egyptian resistance’s defeat by the Ottoman invasion, many intellectuals called for the amendment of the names of some titles and streets that are inspired by or dating back to the Ottoman era. By A correspondent in Egypt
Russia, Iran propose alternative maritime routes amid Suez Canal blockage Russia and Iran have called for the need to find alternative maritime shipping routes after a giant vessel was stuck in Egypt’s Suez Canal, blocking maritime traffic for days before it was freed. By Ahmed Gomaa
Drawing on past lessons, Hamas submits inclusive electoral list Just hours ahead of the deadline to register electoral lists for the Palestinian legislative elections set for May 22, Hamas presented a list of 132 candidates representing the Gaza Strip, West Bank and Jerusalem. By Adnan Abu Amer
Netanyahu’s fans hail historic speech by Israeli Arab legislator Likud’s enthusiasm over the speech of Arab legislator Mansour Abbas might be opportunist and not candid, but it is changing Israeli politics and society irreversibly. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Is Turkey going to crack down Muslim Brotherhood aligned TV in gesture to Egypt? The Turkish government has advised Brotherhood aligned stations against insulting Egyptian officials. By A correspondent in Egypt
36 electoral lists will compete in upcoming Palestinian vote The Palestinian Central Elections Commission has announced 36 new lists have been submitted — what happens now? By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Jailed Palestinian leader's alliance could deal Fatah blow at ballot boxes Marwan Barghouti and Nasser al-Qudwa's popularity present a serious challenge to President Mahmoud Abbas' ruling Fatah party, and could have implications that go beyond the legislative elections. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Palestinians in this village suffer daily settler raids of Muslim shrines While the Israeli settlers stepped up their storming of Muslim shrines in Kifl Haris village in Salfit governorate, Palestinians perceive that such raids pave the way for the seizure of additional lands in the town. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Sudan takes center stage in US regional strategy Khartoum gets a boost this week from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund as US Sudan envoy tours the region; the latest Nile dam talks kick off in Kinshasa, Congo, on Saturday. By Week in Review
Yemen's Houthis behind deadly attack on Aden airport, UN report says The Houthis previously denied responsibility for the attack, which came as Yemeni government officials disembarked from Riyadh. By Al-Monitor Staff
US views EU-led Iran nuclear talks as a 'positive step' Representatives from China, Russia, France, Germany and Britain will meet virtually with Iran on Friday to discuss the possible return of the United States to the nuclear accord. By Al-Monitor Staff
State Department says Israel 'occupied' West Bank and Gaza A State Department spokesman said it is a "historical fact" that Israel occupied the Palestinian Territories in 1967 following a report from the department that retained some Trump administration language on the issue that is closer to Israel's position. By Al-Monitor Staff
Top Turkish court rejects bid to close pro-Kurdish party Citing technical flaws in a case seeking the closure of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party, the Turkish Constitutional Court rejected an indictment by a top prosecutor, setting the stage for possible rifts among political alliances in Ankara. By Diego Cupolo
Could Turkish involvement in Yemen free Saudi Arabia? The Muslim Brotherhood and sources close to the Turkish government are arguing that Saudi Arabia could find a face-saving exit from the Yemen conflict it has been looking for by cooperating with Turkey. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Egypt issues stark warning against Ethiopia over stalled Nile dam talks Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has recently warned against messing with Egypt’s rights to the Nile River waters, in the first such threat against Ethiopia since talks on Addis Ababa’s controversial Nile dam have stalled. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture