Erdogan, Tatar announce controversial plan to further reopen Cypriot ghost town A controversial plan to partially reopen an abandoned resort area in Cyprus’ buffer zone under the administration of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus threatens to further raise tensions within Cypriot communities. By Diego Cupolo
Iran breaks another record for daily virus cases Iran's daily COVID-19 cases are at a similar level to the previous high points in April. The vaccine is still not available for most of the population, and the capital is under lockdown. By Al-Monitor Staff
Suspected Israeli airstrikes hit near Aleppo The strikes were the first since Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett took office. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish vice president slams EU for allowing hijab bans The European Union's top court ruled that employers can bar employees from wearing religious clothing in certain circumstances. By Al-Monitor Staff
Rocket fire from Lebanon hits Israel, prompting response Neither Israel nor Lebanon reported any casualties from the strikes. By Al-Monitor Staff
New Israeli government on mission to rehabilitate ties with Jordan Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid are working to rehabilitate the bilateral ties with Jordan after the setbacks to the relationship under former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Cairo releases dozens of detainees Egypt recently released dozens of activists and journalists who had been in pretrial detention for months in what some say is an effort to polish the Egyptian state’s image before the United States. By Mohammed Magdy In Berlin, reporting on Egyptian politics
Wealthy Turks drive consumption despite soaring inflation A well-off minority is the driving force behind vibrant consumption in Turkey, but the party might not last long as inflationist pressures increase and the country’s current account deficit widens. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Could Israel help Egypt break Nile dam deadlock? A former diplomat's suggestion for Egypt to appeal to Israel to help break the deadlock over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has sparked controversy in Egypt. By Mohamed Saied
Israel under fire after allegations against NSO cybersurveillance group The Meretz party demands the Defense Ministry look into accusations leveraged against Israeli cybersurveillance company NSO on its Pegasus software. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Egypt, Ethiopia compete to export power to Africa Egypt's "power" diplomacy with Djibouti, Tanzania and Burundi is meant to counter Ethiopia's plan to expand electricity exports to African countries through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. By George Mikhail
Israel turns Silwan into closed military site The East Jerusalem neighborhood is now a flashpoint for Palestinian protests against Israeli settlement policies. By Taghreed Ali
Serbia has its reasons for sending ambassador to Syria Belgrade breaks with EU consensus by being one of the first European countries to upgrade its relations with Damascus to ambassadorial level. By Vuk Vuksanovic
Will Raisi follow Zarif’s path for reviving Iran nuclear deal? Outgoing Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s final report on the Iran nuclear talks is self-serving in parts, but nonetheless charts a path to closing the JCPOA talks. By Mark Fitzpatrick
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Ali Hashem on what to expect from Ebrahim Raisi and the rise of the Hezbollahis in Iran