Putin, Assad meet in Moscow to discuss Syrian civil war The Russian president self-isolated after the meeting due to COVID exposure, but a spokesman said "no one's health was in danger." By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq's Kadhimi had full agenda for meetings in Iran In his second trip to Tehran, Mustafa al-Kadhimi discussed the two nations' economic relationship, energy sales and reducing regional tension. By Hassan Al-Saeed
Egypt’s embrace of Bennett highlights divisions in Israeli cabinet While coalition partners from the center and left congratulated Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, figures on the right are busy criticizing him over Gaza. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Turkish-backed Syrian forces intensify attacks on US-aligned Syrian Kurdish group The Turkish army and its allied Syrian factions have recently increased attacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria. By Khaled al-Khateb
Egypt trains Sudanese police to counter Brotherhood plans Cairo is training a number of Sudanese police officers on measures against the Muslim Brotherhood as Sudan accuses Brotherhood members of being behind the demonstrations and riots that have erupted in the country. By A correspondent in Egypt
Bennett, Lapid shift stance on Gaza Despite his past support for attacking Hamas, the meeting between Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid's plan to rehabilitate Gaza signal a very different policy. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israeli goodwill gestures fail to hook Palestinian fishermen Fishermen in Gaza are not celebrating Israel's expansion of their fishing zones, saying the measures are largely empty and there are no guarantees they will last. By Entsar Abu Jahal
On Israel with Ben Caspit Michael Oren: Israel must build case legitimizing possible action against Iran Ben Caspit
Israeli prime minister praises 'foundation for deep ties' in Egypt Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was the first visit by an Israeli prime minister to Egypt in a decade. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi Arabia seeks low key influence in Afghanistan Riyadh is looking to expand its relationship with the Taliban, to expand and protect its interests in the region, and counter Iranian influence. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Iranian security official tells Iraq to expel Iranian Kurdish groups Iranian officials have been criticizing Kurdish parties from Iran who have a presence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where they are regularly targeted by the Iranian military. By Al-Monitor Staff
Palestinian Authority under fire over freedom of expression Activists and human rights defenders have condemned the Palestinian Authority trials of 30 activists, political figures and national figures. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Syrian jihadist group in Idlib replaces security squad with 'moral police' Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib has ended the work of its security apparatus that has been accused of controlling people’s lives. By Mohammed Hardan
Sudan, South Sudan resume trade activity Following a 10-year hiatus, since the secession of South Sudan on July 9, 2011, the governments in Juba and Khartoum agreed to resume trade activity and cooperate on transport and security beginning in early October. By Baher al-Kady
Anti-vaxxer Turks protest Bill Gates at Istanbul rally Thousands of Turks came together in Istanbul to protest vaccinations, mandatory testing and other coronavirus measures while the country's overworked doctors lashed out at authorities for allowing the demonstration. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Israel's Bennett has lost his voter base National-religious activists and settlers are abandoning Prime Minister Naftali Bennett because of his partnering with centrist and left-wing parties. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics