Bennett makes efforts to establish friendly relationship with Putin Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called Russian President Vladimir Putin this week to discuss regional strategic issues such as Syria and Iran. Israel
US alleviates Lebanon's sanctions concerns over energy deal US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea provided a Treasury Department letter that addressed concerns over the energy plan's potential to violate sanctions on Syria. Lebanon
Blinken says 'a few weeks' left for Iran to resume nuclear compliance US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there were "other options" if world powers are unable to resurrect the deal. Iran
Saudi authorities find Captagon pills hidden in onions The distribution and sale of captagon, a type of amphetamine, is a major business in the Middle East and especially lucrative in Syria, where it reportedly rivals the country’s GDP. News Brief
Rockets target US Embassy as Iraq struggles to form new government An attack on US diplomatic offices in Baghdad widely assumed to have been by Iran-linked militias injured Iraqi civilians instead, as Kataib Hezbollah blamed foreign powers. Iraq
Could Netanyahu opt for plea bargain? Despite declarations made in the past by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a plea bargain, it seems that such a deal might now be on the table. Israel
Israeli entrepreneurs to set up first medical center in Arab city Entrepreneurs from the Arab city of Sakhnin are done waiting on the government and working with Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital to establishment a local medical facility. Israel
Egypt weighs role as mediator in Sudan crisis Egypt announced its support for the UN initiative to resolve the political crisis in Sudan and called for the quick formation of a government. Egypt
Erdogan accused of criminalizing opposition ahead of critical polls A controversial probe into the opposition-led Istanbul municipality might be the prelude of a campaign to criminalize and sideline Erdogan’s potential opponents in the upcoming presidential race, critics say. Turkey
Iraq: Woman, child injured in rocket attack on US Embassy Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby reiterated that the United States reserves the right to retaliate for such attacks. Iraq
Israeli ultra-Orthodox leaders push for children to get vaccinated Surprisingly, the ultra-Orthodox sector is now at the forefront of the campaign to vaccinate children against the coronavirus. Israel
4,000-year-old stone board game discovered at Oman excavation site Archaelogists said the board game appeared similar to other games played during the Bronze Age. Oman
Saudi Arabia increases number of mineral production factories The Saudi government is seeking more investment for the mining of minerals in the country as part of its economic diversification plans. By Al-Monitor Staff
Khamenei website posts animation of Trump targeted in strike The video was released in line with renewed threats from Iran’s hard-line establishment against a hit list of former US officials involved in the killing of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Iran
Turkish teen suicide revives secular-pious debate The debate over the place of Islam in public life remains among the most contentious in Turkey. Turkey
UN experts urge Iran to halt execution of juvenile offender Hossein Shahbazi was 17 when he was arrested for fatally stabbing a classmate and was sentenced to death in a trial that reportedly relied on torture-tainted confessions. Iran
