Taliban renew demand that Turkey leave Afghanistan American and Turkish officials are still ironing out the last details on how to secure Kabul's airport. By Al-Monitor Staff
Pompeo speaks at conference by controversial Iran opposition group Slovenia's prime minister and other former US officials also speak at virtual event held by Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Saudi Arabia’s race for Gulf economic leadership takes to the sky The kingdom diversification plan goes head-to-head with flag carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways, as intra-Gulf economic rivalries heat up on all fronts. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Suez Canal announces record $5.84B revenue after container ship jam Osama Rabie, head of the Suez Canal Authority, said canal revenues were up 2% from the prior tax year. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli Supreme Court OKs surrogacy for same sex-couples, single men Israel’s High Court of Justice said restrictions barring same-sex couples from using surrogate mothers to become parents must end in six months. By Al-Monitor Staff
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman South Asia security expert Ayesha Siddiqa says Turkey is a natural fit for Afghanistan Amberin Zaman
Two Jordanians sentenced to prison over purported plot against state Royal family member Sharif Hassan bin Zaid and former Royal Court head Bassem Awadallah were sentenced to 15 years in prison over an alleged plot against the state. By Al-Monitor Staff
Sultan of Oman wraps up two-day visit to Saudi Arabia Sultan Haitham and Saudi Arabia's King Salman discussed bilateral relations as well as the war in Yemen and Iran's nuclear program. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel’s Lapid pumps European hands in Brussels Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's enthusiastic connecting in Brussels clearly indicates he intends to reboot Israel’s ties with the European Union. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt upholds life sentences for 10 Muslim Brotherhood leaders The Brotherhood members are serving life sentences related to a 2011 jailbreak. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraqis campaign against impunity for violence Activists in Iraq and abroad are seeking to pressure Iraqi authorities into preventing impunity for perpetrators of abuses. By Mustafa Saadoun
Will Turkey use Syrian mercenaries in Kabul? Turkey is allegedly planning to use Syrian fighters in its proposed mission to guard and run Kabul’s airport, but this time recruitment is expected to proceed via private security firms. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Relatives murder Syrian girl in honor killing The killing of an 18-year-old girl who refused to marry her cousin at the hands of her relatives in the countryside of Hasakah sparked anger and ignited controversy on social media. By Sultan al-Kanj
Liberman takes on ultra-Orthodox New finance Minister Avigdor Liberman is ending daycare subsidies for ultra-Orthodox families in which the husband studies rather than works. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Has Egypt achieved international mobilization to protect its interests in Blue Nile? Countries at the UN Security Council seem to have maintained a balanced position on the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. By Ayah Aman In Cairo, reporting on politics and culture
Palestinians hesitant to celebrate as family reunification ban fails Arab-Israelis married to Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza Strip realize that the measure failed to pass only because of squabbling between the right-wing parties who are sure to promote similar legislation. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics