Arrest warrant issued for ex-minister over Beirut blast Youssef Fenianos, Lebanon's former public works and transportation minister, had reportedly failed to appear for questioning before the judge. Lebanon
Egypt's choices narrow on the Nile dam crisis Egypt is working on avoiding any military conflict regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as it explores available options for the next stage. Egypt
Turkish synagogues get makeover as Izmir strives for UNESCO stamp An ambitious effort to revive Izmir’s Jewish heritage is paying off as the Turkish city vies for a place on the UNESCO heritage list. Turkey
Turkey-backed Syrian opposition groups merge under new banner A group of factions affiliated with the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army have formed a new alliance known as the Syrian Liberation Front intended to end the power struggle between Turkey’s allied factions in northern Syria. Syria
UN Security Council weighs in on Nile dam dispute The United Nations Security Council called on Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to resume negotiations on the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, reviving the international momentum over the dispute. Egypt
Elderly Palestinian resists Israel’s settlement ambitions A 76-year-old Palestinian has been resisting Israel’s attempts to confiscate his land in the Jordan Valley for years. Palestine
LISTEN: Assyrian Church of the East elects new patriarch The new leader of the historic church must now navigate the unique political and spiritual challenges facing his shrinking community in Iraq and its worldwide diaspora. Iraq
Palestinian escapee allegedly beaten by Israeli forces after being recaptured The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said Zakaria Zubeidi suffered physical injuries in Israeli custody. Palestine
Confidence-building measures with Israel trigger mixed reactions among PA leaders Palestinian leaders exhibit varying reactions toward the confidence-building measures with Israel. Palestine
Palestinian NGOs begin campaign against political corruption The deterioration of democratic policies in the Palestinian leadership has led a coalition of nongovernmental organizations to call what is happening in Palestine "political corruption." Palestine
Northwest Syria running low on COVID-19 tests, oxygen amid conflict The International Rescue Committee said coronavirus cases are increasing dramatically in the war-torn rebel territory. Syria
The Takeaway: Business As Usual: US-Egypt alliance finds its center Also: Bennett meets Sisi; Egypt announces vaccine factory; Saudi Arabia mulls Taliban ties; Syrian jihadi group announces "moral police" in Idlib; NGOs slam Palestinian Authority on human rights; a new Al-Monitor podcast; and more … all in about 1,500 words. Egypt
Turkey’s blind eye to jihadis worsens its predicaments in Syria Turkey is seeking to downplay the jihadi threat that its troops face in Idlib, the last Islamist stronghold in Syria, opting to turn the spotlight to the Kurds instead. Turkey
Survivors, rights groups call for UN to investigate Beirut blast The joint letter with 145 signatories called on the UN Human Rights Council to heed the call of survivors and launch an independent, international probe of the blast. Lebanon
Iranian nuclear negotiator replaced by hard-line protege The appointment of the hard-line figure Ali Bagheri Kani at the Foreign Ministry has raised questions about ongoing negotiations over the 2015 nuclear deal. Iran
Gantz says Israel could accept new nuclear deal with Iran Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz also said Israel wants to see a “viable US-led plan B” if talks between Tehran and world powers fall through. Israel
