European powers blast Iran's 'troubling' nuclear violations The United Kingdom, France and Germany urged Iran to return to the negotiating table following reports the country has accelerated its nuclear program. By Al-Monitor Staff
Hezbollah leader says Iranian fuel en route to Lebanon The delivery could help Lebanon deal with its fuel crisis, but it may also put Lebanon at risk due to US sanctions on Iranian fuel, one rival politician said. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey’s plans for new social media restrictions threaten five years in prison for spreading fake news The latest crackdown on online speech could see users jailed for posting fake news that critics say could criminalize dissent. By Andrew Wilks
Algeria blames Israel, Morocco for deadly wildfires The Algerian president's office said two groups were responsible for starting the fires, one of which Algeria accused of receiving support from Israel and Morocco. By Al-Monitor Staff
Yemen's Houthis hope Afghan turmoil will speed up agreement to end war Yemen's Houthi rebels are drawing comparisons between the Taliban takeover of Kabul, which caused President Ashraf Ghani to flee Afghanistan, to their own takeover of Sanaa and Aden in 2014 and 2015. By Naseh Shaker
Turkey’s Sinjar strikes carry stern messages to Tehran, Baghdad As the United States braces to withdraw its combat forces from Iraq, the country’s Kurdistan Region is emerging as the scene of a mounting struggle for control between Turkey and Iran. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
EU to accept Turkish vaccine proof for travel Turkey reciprocated by accepting EU vaccination documents in a move that could boost tourism. By Al-Monitor Staff
Hamas leads gradual escalation against Israel in protest against economic restrictions Hamas and other Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza have informed Egypt that they are considering resuming marches and demonstrations along the border with Israel. By A correspondent in Gaza
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
Fuel crisis roils Lebanon Lebanon's fuel crisis is killing people, and hospital patients could be among the next victims. By Hanan Hamdan
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. By A correspondent in 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. By Khaled al-Khateb
US military mission limited to Kabul airport security, not retrieving Americans Turkey's future role in security at the air base likely will need to be renegotiated, according to sources. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
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. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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! By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell