Turkey views ties with Ethiopia as key to influence in Africa Turkey’s quest for normalization with Egypt and a new beginning with Sudan hinges on how far Ankara takes its relations with Ethiopia amid a simmering water dispute in the region over Ethiopia’s mega dam on the Nile. Turkey
Israeli defense minister thanks Palestinian president for sending firefighters to Jerusalem The cooperation on fighting the wildfires in Jerusalem is not the only recent evidence Israeli-Palestinian relations may be improving. News Brief
US blasts Iran's uranium metal production as 'unconstructive' The State Department condemned Iran's violations of the deal following a UN watchdog report that found Tehran has produced 200 grams of uranium metal enriched up to 20%. Iran
Whither US policy toward Iran? The election of Iran's new president and the Taliban's stunning takeover in Afghanistan have somewhat shaken up the Iran nuclear deal talks, but the United States and Iran clearly know reinstating the deal is in both their favor. United States
Israel hopes Biden will take harder line on Iran after Afghan withdrawal Israel seems determined to focus on the opportunities that could stem from the Afghan crisis, such as a wake-up call to its American allies. Israel
Gaza graffiti combines conflict, despair and hope for Palestinians Graffiti artists in the Gaza Strip are painting murals across the besieged enclave after the latest Israeli war to send a different kind of message to the world. Palestine
Meet Gaza’s first rock band Members of a rare Gazan rock band say the traditional society has had trouble accepting them. Palestine
Bennett launches national campaign against crime in Israeli-Arab villages Saher Ismail, adviser of the education minister, was killed this week outside his house in the Israeli-Arab town of Rameh; he was the 74th Israeli-Arab murdered since the beginning of the year. Israel
Egypt sends medical aid to Lebanon following fuel tank explosion At least 28 people who were trying to obtain fuel died when a tank exploded in northern Lebanon, prompting angry locals to burn the house of the site owner. By Al-Monitor Staff
Pentagon rushes more reinforcements to Kabul airport as panic disrupts evacuations US troops regained control of the runway Monday afternoon after masses of Afghans rushed onto the tarmac hoping to escape. United States
Death toll rises to 74 as floods batter Turkey's Black Sea coast More than 2,300 people have been evacuated since the flash floods erupted in northern Turkey on Wednesday. Turkey
Raisi's foreign minister pick indicates change for Iranian policy The choice of incoming Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian suggests that new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is downgrading the role of the Foreign Ministry in regional conflicts. Iran
Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, rocket intercepted over Israel The rocket was the first since the end of the latest Gaza war in May. News Brief
CIA Chief Burns meets with Egypt's Sisi The pair discussed the situation in Afghanistan, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the crisis in Libya, according to the Egyptian presidency. Egypt
Egypt’s sports authorities under fire over Tokyo games Although Egypt received six medals in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the first time in years, sports authorities in the country were criticized due to players’ complaints about inappropriate training. Egypt
