Iran's official COVID-19 death toll surpasses 100,000 Iran's Health Ministry has also recorded more than 4 million cases, although experts believe the figure is deceptively low. Iran
Fuel crisis roils Lebanon Lebanon's fuel crisis is killing people, and hospital patients could be among the next victims. Lebanon
Egyptian press criticizes Al Jazeera's coverage of demonstrations in Doha While there was no official comment from the Egyptian government on the demonstrations against a controversial electoral law in Qatar, Egyptian media outlets have criticized Al Jazeera for not covering the protests. Egypt
Uzbek fighters complicate makeover campaign by jihadi group in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the dominant jihad group in Idlib, is seeking distance from the actions of Uzbek foreign fighters. Syria
Pentagon sidelines ally Turkey as US takes control of Kabul airport Taliban fighters helped secure the southern perimeter of Kabul airport as the US Army's 82nd Airborne rushed in to take control, marking a rare moment of coordination between the years-long enemies. United States
Israel, Egypt signal closer cooperation as Sisi invites Bennett to Cairo In a first since 2011, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was invited by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for an official visit to Cairo. Israel
Turkey bolsters border against Afghan refugees Turkey is expecting refugees to arrive from war-torn Afghanistan via Iran and is increasing border security as a result, according to Turkish media. News Brief
The Takeaway: Iran can live with Taliban takeover in Afghanistan Also: Israel, the United States and Afghanistan; Turkey’s "remorse clause" and the Islamic State; Turks rally around trolled Olympian; Israeli-Palestinian fault lines; Gaza rocks out; and more … in just over 1,500 words! Iran
Sisi invites Israel's Bennett to visit Egypt Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel extended the invite while visiting with Israeli officials in Jerusalem. Egypt
Turkish airstrikes claim Yazidi lives in Iraq’s Sinjar Turkish airstrikes hit makeshift hospital in the predominantly Yazidi Sinjar region of Iraq on Tuesday. Turkey
Demands for tougher penalties against child marriage grow in Egypt As child marriage spreads in Egypt, many observers and parliamentarians call for tougher penalties for anyone involved, while some believe that toughening penalties will not be a solution because there are many ways to circumvent laws. Egypt
Iran ramps up uranium enrichment as nuclear talks stall The UN International Atomic Energy Agency also has concluded that Iran is continuing to produce uranium metal in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran
British tourist who went to Afghanistan safe in Dubai Miles Routledge went to Kabul amid the Taliban takeover of the city for tourism, but got stuck and had to be evacuated by the British military to the United Arab Emirates. By Al-Monitor Staff
Afghan president surfaces in UAE The Emirati government said it welcomed Ashraf Ghani into the country on "humanitarian grounds." News Brief
Ankara mulls ambitious but risky engagement with Taliban The Turkish government is eyeing a more independent — and riskier — role in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s blitz takeover of Kabul sidelined the United States earlier than expected. Turkey
Protesters block roads, rocket shot at gas station as Lebanon crisis continues Lebanon is experiencing severe fuel, medicine and water shortages and politicians are still unable to form a new government. By Al-Monitor Staff
