Egypt promotes medical tourism within Africa A cross-agency recruitment campaign seeks to encourage citizens of other countries to visit Egypt for treatment By Salwa Samir In Giza, reporting on politics
Egypt's security forces harass activists into silence, Amnesty says The report said the National Security Agency threatened human rights defenders with arrests and prosecutions, and questioned them about their political activity on social media. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel’s Bennett, Sheikh Jarrah twins make TIME 100 list Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Muna and Mohammed Al-Kurd were among the notable figures in TIME Magazine's list of top newsmakers. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran's Raisi to meet Putin as states mull Taliban recognition In his first foreign visit as Iran's president, Ebrahim Raisi will sit down with Russian and Pakistani leaders amid new regional dynamics triggered by the US departure from Afghanistan. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Hagar Hosny
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. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
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. By Sultan al-Kanj
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. By Mohamed Saied
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. By Zuheir Dolah
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. By Joe Snell
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
Confidence-building measures with Israel trigger mixed reactions among PA leaders Palestinian leaders exhibit varying reactions toward the confidence-building measures with Israel. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
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." By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell