Report says Mossad chief had met with Libyan PM Arab media outlets claimed yesterday that Mossad Director David Barnea met in Jordan recently with Khalifa Hifter’s rival, Libyan transition Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Syrians dig for Islamic State left-behinds in eastern desert Many unemployed Syrians have embarked on dangerous search and excavation operations for money, gold and weapons left by the Islamic State in Deir ez-Zor governorate. By Khaled al-Khateb
Egypt looks to groundwater collection as talks deadlock on Ethiopia dam The Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation is working to collect the largest possible amount of groundwater through "auto-control" devices, which have been supplied to more than 15 groundwater wells. By Rasha Mahmoud
Pentagon says Iran is behind MuddyWater hacking group Iranian intelligence is behind a group of cyber-attackers that have targeted private and government organizations across the Middle East. By Al-Monitor Staff
The Takeaway: Iraq takes first steps toward new government: What comes next Updates from our regional correspondents on Turkey, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt; multimedia on Israel and Iran — all in about 1,000 words. By Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell
US seeks 'clarification' from Israel after Palestinian-American detained by IDF found dead Omar Abdalmajeed Asaad died after he was detained in an Israeli raid in the West Bank village of Jiljilya, his family and Palestinian officials said. By Al-Monitor Staff
Algeria reopens consulate in Libya after eight-year absence Algeria's ambassador also met with UN envoy Stephanie Williams to discuss Libya's future. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran frees British Council employee Aras Amiri Aras Amiri's lawyer in Tehran said the British Council worker flew out of the Iranian capital on Monday after her travel ban was lifted. By Al-Monitor Staff
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Iran’s economy won’t collapse, but future at risk from sanctions, says Bijan Khajehpour
Intel: Biden faces bipartisan frustration over Syria policy The top members on the House and Senate foreign affairs panels cautioned against giving “tacit approval of formal diplomatic engagement with the Syrian regime.” By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Iranian border leader visits Pakistan, participates in defense exercise Iran and Pakistan have worked to strengthen their relations since the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. By Al-Monitor Staff
Kazakhstan crisis challenges Turkey's leadership of Turkic union The unrest rattling Kazakhstan has reflected the irrelevance of Turkey and the Organization of Turkic States chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. By Cengiz Candar
Syria joins China’s Belt and Road Initiative The admission of Syria into the Chinese economic project is the latest sign of strengthening relations between Damascus and Beijing. By Al-Monitor Staff
IRGC-linked factions step up activity against Kurdistan Region of Iraq Armed factions in Iraq with links to Iran have increased accusations against Kurds in the country’s autonomous region and may have been behind some recent attacks on them. By Shelly Kittleson
Turkey’s middle class put on austerity footing amid skyrocketing prices Staggering price increases are forcing Turkey’s middle class to cut on spending in myriad fields, from shopping and transport to dining and travel. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Turkish Netflix series turns cameras on pogroms, hidden Greeks "The Club," whose first season woke the ghosts of Turkey’s Jewish community, turns its lens on Turkey’s Greek Orthodox Community and the pogroms of 1955. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture