West Bank city of Jenin roils as Israel prepares for possible escalation The West Bank and the Gaza Strip are atop a barrel of gunpowder that could explode at any time. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Vivian Salama previews the Biden administration’s Middle East priorities at the UN General Assembly
Qatar Airways flies more Americans out of Afghanistan Qatar has good relations with both the United States and the Taliban and has been assisting with repatriation efforts from Afghanistan. By Al-Monitor Staff
Pentagon says drone strike near Syria's Idlib targeted al-Qaeda official CENTCOM fired a drone missile at at least one jihadi official near Idlib today in the first such strike in recent months. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Sisi statements spark debate about status for Egyptian atheists The Egyptian president's remarks on human rights have drawn attention to freedom of belief for the nonreligious. By Shahira Amin
UK foreign secretary to press Iranian FM on prisoners, nuclear deal In her first overseas trip as new UK foreign secretary, Liz Truss will meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City this week. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey's latest attack on PKK militant in Iraqi Kurdistan meant as show of strength In recent months, Turkish drones have picked off a string of mid-level commanders in Iraqi Kurdistan and northeast Syria. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Lebanese judge sets new date for ex-PM to answers questions on Beirut port explosion Hassan Diab was previously due to appear before investigators on Sept. 20, but Lebanese media reported he left for the United States. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran says SCO membership to end isolation Iran is hoping to expand its economic ties after it enters the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. By Al-Monitor Staff
EU condemns Houthi execution of 9 Yemenis by firing squad The European Union joined the United States and United Nations in condemning the trial and execution of nine Yemenis accused of involvement in the killing of a senior Houthi official. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli, Swedish foreign ministers talk on phone after seven years of silence Bilateral diplomatic relations between Israel and Sweden had deteriorated after Stockholm recognized Palestine in 2014, but now both countries seem eager to rehabilitate ties. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Syria's defense chief visits Jordan to discuss border security State media outlets reported that Syrian Gen. Ali Ayoub and Jordanian Gen. Yousef Huneiti met in Amman to discuss the situation along the border following the fighting in Daraa. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraqi leaders sign electoral code of conduct The agreement among Iraqi parties comes in light of ongoing efforts by Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government to reunite political blocs ahead of the October elections. By Omar Sattar
Egypt receives vaccine doses via France The AstraZeneca vaccine doses were delivered via the World Health Organization's COVAX initiative. By Al-Monitor Staff
Netanyahu's dominance over Likud holds for now Despite challenges from some Likud seniors, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu retains his status as party leader and the right's most popular politician. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics