US Navy tests laser weapon in Gulf of Aden The USS Portland fired the prototype laser at a floating training target, the Navy said in a statement. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran will permit IAEA to replace damaged cameras at nuclear site Iran and the IAEA have agreed to reinstall cameras at a nuclear facility that were destroyed in a sabotage attack over the summer. By Al-Monitor Staff
Gulf stock markets add listings, but foreign investors still skeptical A flurry of stock listings in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai raise hopes of broadening the investor base. By Sebastian Castelier In Dubai, reporting on regional business
Blinken says US will move forward with F-35 sale to UAE Blinken's comments came after the Emirati government said it was suspending discussions on the sale. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel focused on Syria as well as Iran A report by the Washington Post has attributed two attacks to Israel in the past year and a half against Syrian military facilities linked to its past chemical weapons program. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Fatah wins small victory in Palestinian local elections The slight victory of candidates supporting Fatah in the local council elections appear to have boosted the morale of the Palestinian leadership and opened the door for elections in major cities. Will the Hamas leadership agree to that in Gaza? By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Israel returns trafficked artifacts to Egypt Israel returned dozens of looted archaeological pieces to Egypt in a new sign of improving relations between the two countries in recent years. By Mohamed Sabry
Qatar’s presence in eastern Mediterranean benefits Egypt, Turkey Qatar is enhancing its presence in the eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas reserves at a time when tensions are ripping through the region over the maritime borders and excavation rights. By Mohamed Saied
Egyptian Parliament reopens debate on Quran's place in curriculum When the Egyptian Parliament recently considered a bill intended to support the use of Standard Arabic, the discussion grew heated between a a representative of Al-Azhar and a parliamentarian who objected to provisions about Quran memorization in primary school. By George Mikhail
Syrians resort to ancient bread-making methods in Idlib's food crisis Displaced Syrians in Idlib are replacing bakery bread with handmade bread, turning to traditional methods during the area's food shortage. By Khaled al-Khateb
Intel: UAE suspends F-35 talks over US security demands Emirati officials head to the Pentagon on Wednesday for two days of strategic talks with Washington. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Omani military leader visits Iran Oman, a member o the GCC, maintains good relations with Iran. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iranian teachers demand better pay in nationwide strikes The strikes come as the teachers accuse the government and parliament of failing them. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish lira tumbles ahead of key decision on rate cuts, wages As Turkey’s battered lira pushes to new lows against the dollar, all eyes turn to Thursday’s central bank meeting and critical talks on the minimum wage. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Lebanese justice minister meets families of port explosion detainees Several Beirut port officials were arrested in relation to the deadly explosion in 2020, and their families want them released. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: Egypt seeks US sanctions assurance in gas plan for Lebanon Egypt's minister of petroleum and mineral resources says his government needs a guarantee from Washington that Cairo's involvement in the Arab Gas Pipeline project will be exempt from US sanctions on Syria. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights