Hard-liner Raisi wins Iran presidency amid record low turnout Ebrahim Raisi's win came as little surprise amid widespread voter apathy, in a race already tilted to his favor by a powerful supervisory body. By Sarbas Nazari
Egypt mobilizes Arab support in Nile dam dispute with Ethiopia The foreign ministers of the Arab League called on the UN Security Council to urgently convene and discuss the dispute over Ethiopia’s controversial dam on the Nile River. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
Cairo, Khartoum take Nile dam issue to UN Security Council Egypt and Sudan mobilize Arab support in anticipation of reinternationalizing the GERD issue at the UN Security Council. By Mohammed Magdy In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Biden-Putin summit exceeded expectations, says Fyodor Lukyanov, but US-Russia antagonistic relationship remains
US weighs options as Lebanon’s allies move to assist military The Pentagon and State Department are exploring "creative ways" to help the Lebanese armed forces offset their costs amid financial crisis. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Palestinian Authority calls off vaccine deal with Israel The PA said Friday that it wouldn't accept the Pfizer vaccines provided by Israel because the doses were too close to expiring. By Al-Monitor Staff
King appoints new commission for political reform in Jordan Jordan’s King Abdullah has formed a committee to revise two main pieces of legislation related to the political life in the kingdom, but activists are skeptical about the prospects for change. By Osama Al Sharif
French foreign minister: Turkey and France have a ‘verbal cease-fire’ Jean-Yves Le Drian told a French TV station there is still a long way to go to improve Turkey-France relations, mentioning Syria, Libya and the eastern Mediterranean. The French and Turkish presidents had a cordial meeting earlier this week. By Al-Monitor Staff
As Houthis advance on Marib, UN concerned over attacks on civilians Since the Iran-backed rebels renewed their offensive on the government's last northern stronghold in February, the United Nations has recorded a number of attacks impacting civilians. By Al-Monitor Staff
Official data lays bare deepening poverty in Turkey With economic disparities worsening amid the coronavirus pandemic, Turkey’s poverty rate has increased 0.6 points to 21.9% of the population. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Turkey wild card in US-Russia conflict over Syria aid The US administration might be open to a position shift on the Syrian file to secure the flow of cross-border international aid to Syria, a prospect that may spoil Turkey's calculations in Syria and particularly in Idlib. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
UAE sends vaccines to Yemeni islands The vaccines were sent to territory controlled by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. By Al-Monitor Staff
Clash at Al-Aqsa Mosque leaves several wounded The clashes on Friday came as the Israeli military carried out airstrikes in Gaza in response to continuing incendiary balloons. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel to give more than 1 million vaccine doses to Palestinians In order to accelerate the supply of COVID-19 vaccines to the Palestinians, Israel started transferring 1 million Pfizer doses. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iraq automates its customs service to reduce corruption at border crossings The Iraqi government has taken several new initiatives to fight corruption, from automating border crossings, arresting corrupt figures and imposing restrictions on the economic interests of militias and political parties. By Salam Zidane