Kakai minority scores two seats in Iraqi parliament After years of absence, two female candidates from the Kakai minority managed to reach the Iraqi parliament following the fifth Iraqi legislative elections held on Oct. 10 for the provinces of Ninevah and Kirkuk. By Saman Dawod
Israeli politicians turn Iranian nuke threat into political campaign Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli politicians are not only campaigning for Israel’s security, they are also using the Iran threat as means to political promotion. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Turkey rules suicide in death of Kurdish prisoner who alleged torture, rape A female Kurdish inmate who spoke up about rape, sexual harassment and torture in prison has died in solitary confinement in what the state has ruled suicide. By Pinar Tremblay
Turkish lira sinks further with Erdogan’s latest rate cut Ankara’s controversial economic policy coupled with external forces portend a continuing deprecation of the Turkish lira that will only worsen inflation and other economic parameters. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Many female candidates' faces hidden as West Bank votes During campaigning for the local council elections in the West Bank, the photos of many female candidates were withheld. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Israel to donate 1 million vaccine doses to African countries via COVAX Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced the country will donate to Africa states, through the global vaccine distribution partnership COVAX, 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Gadhafi’s son shakes up Libyan elections Elections scheduled for Dec. 24 are now uncertain because of haggling among Libya's political factions. By Mustafa Fetouri
IAEA head meets UAE foreign minister in Dubai The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency praised the UAE's nuclear energy program. By Al-Monitor Staff
Syria, Iraq discuss boosting trade The two countries also discussed cooperation on oil imports earlier this year. By Al-Monitor Staff
The Takeaway: Did Israeli PM help break deadlock over US weapons sale to UAE? Also: The Gulf and climate; Syrian refugees return from Belarus; Israel expands Golan settlements; Egypt wants assurances on gas pipeline; China-Ethiopia ties unsettle Egypt; Iran threatens sanctions on US; Building Sharjah … all in less than 1,200 words! By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
As Turkey names new envoy for Armenia, skepticism prevails Moves for reconciliation between the two longtime opponents have been met with surprise by observers, who see ulterior motives on Turkey's part. By Amberin Zaman In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Democratic lawmakers urge sanctions on Israel's NSO Group The congressional letter also called for sanctions on three other foreign surveillance firms. By Al-Monitor Staff
Gulf states cooperate on defense, Iran and economic integration at summit The Gulf Cooperation Council held their annual summit in Riyadh this week, indicating a degree of unity among Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other states on regional issues. By Al-Monitor Staff
US, Palestinian officials hold first economic dialogue in five years The US-Palestinian Economic Dialogue covered infrastructure development, access to US markets, US regulations, free trade and other financial issues. By Al-Monitor Staff
Reading the Middle East with Gilles Kepel Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi discusses Building Sharjah, the story of the evolution of modern architecture in the UAE’s third largest city Gilles Kepel
Syrian airline launches flights to Pakistani city An official from Cham Wings Airlines said he hopes the flights to Karachi will help boost trade between Syria and Pakistan. By Al-Monitor Staff