After critical EU report, Turkey’s bid to join bloc remains at a 'standstill' Citing serious democratic backsliding, the European Commission’s latest report on Turkey found few areas of progress in the nation’s long-stalled accession process as Brussels seeks avenues to improve relations. By Diego Cupolo
The Takeaway: Iraq shadowed Colin Powell, but his character showed through even then Pinkwashing in Tunisia?; Russia, Iran, Turkey, Syria and the Caucasus; Breast reconstruction surgery still taboo in Gaza; Wheelchair basketball scores — all in less than 1,500 words! By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn
Biden aide, Saudi crown prince discussed Israel normalization: report Axios reports that White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan discussed Saudi Arabia's potential diplomatic ties with Israel during his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. By Al-Monitor Staff
Greek foreign minister visits Oman Nikos Dendias will also head to Libya this week and recently participated in a summit with allies Cyprus and Egypt. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel, Emirates to collaborate in space Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement in Dubai to cooperate on space missions, including collaboration on the Israeli Beresheet 2 lunar project. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israel announces 3,000 new Gaza work permits The additional work permits for Gazans follows several Israeli measures aimed at easing border restrictions. By Al-Monitor Staff
Despite vaccination push, Iran nearing sixth wave of COVID Despite rising vaccination rates, Iran sees a sixth wave of coronavirus on the horizon. By Al-Monitor Staff
Military bus explodes in Damascus, leaving 14 dead Syrian government soldiers were also killed in an explosion in central Syria. By Al-Monitor Staff
Refugees returning to Syria face reprisals from government The rights organization documented arrest, arbitrary detention, torture and other forms of abuse among Syrian refugees who returned to their home country from Lebanon and Jordan. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel regularizes status of 4,000 West Bank Palestinians Defense Minister Benny Gantz decided to legalize the status of some 4,000 Palestinians who live in the West Bank but are not properly registered. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Female volunteers in northwestern Syria raise awareness of breast cancer Volunteers raise breast cancer awareness among women in opposition areas in northwestern Syria, where access to health care is limited. By Khaled al-Khateb
Ethiopia preps for third filling as Nile dam diplomacy stalls Hope for negotiations on the crisis with Egypt and Sudan is fading as Ethiopia works toward the third-stage filling of its mega dam on the Blue Nile. By Mohamed Saied
UAE budget boosts cybersecurity The huge increase of cyberattacks during the coronavirus pandemic, digital transformation and terrorism threats have pushed the UAE to secure its cyberborders through high expenditure within its new budget. By Hussein Nagah
Members of Congress criticize normalization with Syria's Assad Both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill have spoken out against countries establishing ties with Syria as Jordan, Egypt and the UAE have increased diplomatic contacts with Damascus. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Iran commander rejoices at US ‘defeats’ The IRGC commander was enumerating US failures in the region only hours after reports that Israel was allocating a special budget for a military strike on Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff