Rouhani says nuclear talks will be handed to successor Iran's president said the next administration will take up the nuclear negotiations. By Al-Monitor Staff
The Takeaway: Erdogan weighs risks of Afghan mission against benefits for US ties Also: Gulf airline race takes off; Islamic State steps up Iraq attacks; Fortnite fatwa riles Egyptian gamers; is Israel’s army too small?; child beggars in Gaza’s cemeteries; Iraq unearths 4,000 year old city; and more! All in only about 1,500 words. By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
Who is Masih Alinejad, target of an alleged Iranian kidnapping plot? Prosecutors say the four Iranian defendants plotted to forcibly take the Brooklyn-based author and activist to Iran where her "fate would have been uncertain at best.” By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran, Syria denounce US 'interference' in Cuba amid unrest Iran is a close ally of Cuba, which is experiencing widespread protests against the communist government. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Fire at Nasiriyah coronavirus hospital kills more than 90 The fire was the second such tragedy at an Iraqi coronavirus ward in less than three months. By Al-Monitor Staff
Idlib authorities begin restoration of historic mosque The government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib is restoring the historic Great Mosque, which was severely damaged by Syrian government shelling. By Mohammed Hardan
Israel displaces 11 Palestinian families in Jordan Valley Israel says it demolished homes in a hamlet in the northern Jordan Valley in order to use the area for Israel Defense Forces military drills. By Mai Abu Hasaneen
Qatar attends naval base opening in Egypt A Qatari delegation has attended the inauguration of a naval base on Egypt’s western coast near the Libyan border, in the latest sign of improving ties between Cairo and Doha. By Mohammad Hanafi
Report reveals heavy impact of COVID-19 on Israeli Arabs A new report quantifies disparities in how the coronavirus crisis has affected Israel's Arab population. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
IRGC official urged Iraq militias to continue hitting US, report The IRGC intelligence chief's visit to Iraq last week followed one by top commander Ismail Ghaani. By Al-Monitor Staff
Zarif's final defense for Iran deal infuriates hard-liners Iran's foreign minister faced scathing attacks from hard-liners in parliament after his upbeat assessment of the status of the nuclear talks. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish soccer team flies home from Greece after virus test row Turkey, which has worked to repair its long-strained relations with Greece this year, summoned the Greek ambassador over the issue on Tuesday. By Al-Monitor Staff
Stream of Afghan asylum seekers reported in eastern Turkey As the United States continues its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, disputed reports indicate a rising number of asylum seekers of Afghan origin are crossing Turkey’s eastern border. By Diego Cupolo
Saudis launch 'hajj smart card' The card will help authorities regulate entry into holy sites during the Islamic pilgrimage as well as crack down on illegal entry. By Al-Monitor Staff
UAE sends vaccines to Tunisia Tunisia is experiencing historic highs in daily COVID-19 cases, though its vaccination rate is among the highest in Africa. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish mobster claims AKP supporters secretly armed after putsch The latest bombshell by fugitive Turkish crime boss Sedat Peker has stoked calls for an investigation. By Metin Gurcan