Lebanon implements ration card program as economic crisis worsens The Lebanese parliament approved a law to fund ration cards for the most vulnerable families, while ending subsidies. By Dario Sabaghi
Humanitarian crisis looms in south Syria town amid ongoing government siege With the support of Russia, Syrian government forces are besieging 11,000 Syrian families in the neighborhoods of Daraa al-Balad in southern Syria, after former Free Syrian Army fighters refused to hand over their light weapons. By Khaled al-Khateb
UN rights expert says Israeli settlements a 'war crime' Israel blasted the report as “the latest one-sided and biased report against Israel." By Al-Monitor Staff
Egypt to Security Council: Ethiopian dam an ‘existential threat’ Foreign minister says potential disruptions from dam could be like a "malignant plague" for Egypt. By Week in Review
Reports highlight crackdowns on press in Kurdistan Region The Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government has rejected the charges, citing the independence of courts and media partnerships. By Al-Monitor Staff
Health professionals urge Blinken to press Egypt on prison conditions More than 200 health professionals have signed on to a letter asking Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge Egypt to address dire conditions inside its prisons. By Al-Monitor Staff
UN extends Syria cross-border assistance in compromise with Russia The UN Security Council agreed to a six-month cross-border aid extension, followed by another six-month extension subject to reporting from the UN secretary-general. By Al-Monitor Staff
Confrontation between US, pro-Iranian groups in Syria and Iraq poses challenges for Russia While Moscow does not yet have the resources to eliminate Iranian influence in Syria, it would be in its interests to at least prevent the expansion of the activities of pro-Iranian paramilitary structures. By Kirill Semenov
Iranian commander says border 'fully secure' after Taliban seizes key town The Taliban has gained control of a border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran ahead of the pending US troop withdrawal. By Al-Monitor Staff
Why Iranian celebrities took a break from politics Unlike in previous years, Iran's celebrities went quiet during the June election. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Palestinian president to visit Turkey The delayed Palestinian elections, reconstruction in Gaza and Israel will be among the subjects discussed between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan. By Al-Monitor Staff
Egypt repatriates 114 trafficked artifacts Artifact trafficking in Egypt is back under the spotlight as Egyptian authorities recovered in Paris over 114 stolen antiquities in a case involving prominent figures. By A correspondent in Egypt
Israel's top court upholds Jewish nation-state law The 2018 law, which enshrines national self-determination as a unique right of the Jewish people, was denounced by critics who say it discriminates against Israel's Arab population. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey's 'babyfaced' fraud suspect in jail after three years on run Mehmet Aydin, wanted since early 2018, is back in Turkey to face an online fraud case that has raised questions about how he remained free for so long in South America. By Andrew Wilks
Iraq breaks record for highest daily virus cases Health authorities are asking Iraqis to take the COVID-19 vaccine as rates remain low and infections rise once again. By Al-Monitor Staff