What Erdogan missed in skipping Baghdad conference The Turkish president’s absence from the regional summit in Baghdad underscores the urgent need for Turkey to mend fences with Iraq and rethink the cost of its confrontational policies in the region. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Will popular pressure in Gaza lead to new clashes with Israel? Palestinian youth are carrying out non-military activities, backed by military factions in Gaza, to pressure Israel to lift the siege, among other demands. By A correspondent in Gaza
Undercover police unit to target crime in Arab-Israeli society The establishment of a special police undercover unit targeting crime in the Arab society comes on the backdrop of increasing calls to involve the Shin Bet in this yearslong battle. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
Democratic Senators urge government formation in Lebanon Four Democratic Senators met with Lebanese President Michel Aoun and will later head to Israel. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Pentagon defends Kabul drone strike as ‘righteous’ The rules of engagement were followed in the lead-up to a strike that killed 10 people, including children, the top general says. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Qatar calls on Taliban to respect women's rights Qatar said that the gains women made under the previous Afghan government should not be undone by the Taliban, which is notorious for its treatment of women. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
The Takeaway: Iranian foreign policy under Raisi takes shape Also: Shapiro appointment welcomed in Israel; Gantz meeting doesn’t help Abbas’ popularity; "Saudization" of labor gets slow start; Turkey’s targeted killings in Syria; Sextortion in Egypt; More … in about 1,300 words. By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
Israel expands Gaza fishing zone after demonstrations Along with several other humanitarian gestures, Israel announced it would expand the offshore fishing zone by 15 nautical miles. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish dissident columnist attacked by unknown assailants The assault on the vocal dissident comes at a time of tightened grip on artists, singers, and dramatists. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Libya's FM signals elections could be delayed Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush said the Dec. 24 elections could be postponed if lawmakers fail to agree on the electoral law. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iranian forces battle group in Kurdistan province Iran has fought Kurdish-Iranian groups recently. By Al-Monitor Staff
Palestinian killed by Israeli forces in West Bank The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the incident. By Al-Monitor Staff
With new Iranian president comes new promises of vaccines The new administration has made a number of promises on vaccines. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel calls US plan to reopen consulate for Palestinians 'bad idea' In an effort to repair ties with the Palestinians, the Biden administration plans to reopen the US Consulate in Jerusalem that had served as a de facto embassy for the Palestinians. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel announces 'civil steps' to alleviate conditions in Gaza Israel says the measures are dependent on "preservation of security" and follow the announcement of $155 million to the Palestinian Authority. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs