Is Turkey using HTS to strengthen its hand in Syria? Amid Ankara’s overtures to Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham — the radical group controlling Idlib — has seized Afrin and is seeking a deal to expand its control further into territories held by factions allied with Turkey. Turkey
Saudi Arabia, South Africa sign agreements worth $15 billion Saudi Arabia is increasing its economic footprint on the African continent, in part because of its rivalry with Iran. Saudi Arabia
IRGC warns Saudi Arabia over Iran protest coverage The head of the IRGC has issued a warning to Saudi Arabia over coverage by Persian-language news outlets. Iran
OPEC members back Saudi Arabia in dispute with US The oil cartel and Russia recently agreed to a significant oil production cut, leading to public criticism from the United States. Gulf
Putin’s 'gas hub’ plan aims to bolster Erdogan's image Erdogan has accepted Putin’s offer to create a “gas hub” in northwest Turkey. But what is a gas hub? Is it workable? If realized, what impact would it have? Turkey
Tunisian students who fled Ukraine face the unknown Tunisian students who attended universities in Ukraine before fleeing the Russian war are currently in limbo as state universities refuse to enroll them while authorities are scrambling to resolve their situation. North Africa
Israel revokes work permits of 164 Palestinian militants' relatives In addition to pressuring the Nablus-based Lion’s Den group, Defense Minister Benny Gantz revoked the permits of group members' relatives to work in Israel. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox campaigning goes digital as Israeli election nears In a dramatic shift from past elections, ultra-Orthodox parties have gone digital to keep up with their own constituencies. Israel
Egypt’s first dog cafe opens Ola Loutfi established the first cafe for dogs in Egypt offering dog owners a place to go with their four-legged friends. Egypt
Russian referendums strain Egypt-Ukraine ties Egypt denies sending observers to monitor the Russian referendums on illegally annexing four regions in Ukraine. Egypt
Lebanon’s worsening health sector leaves patients suffering Lebanon's health-care sector is fighting for survival amid an economic collapse, with the lives of patients at risk as critical care facilities have been falling apart and for the majority of the population affording essential medicine has become a luxury. Lebanon
Analysis Iran nuclear talks on hold for now as US, EU focus on protests MENA region is expected to suffer more than most from the global slowdown partly caused by the Ukraine war. By Week in Review
Turkish coal mine explosion kills 22, traps dozens The accident in northern Turkey killed 22 people, injured more than 20 and trapped dozens of miners waiting to be rescued from underground. Turkey
The Turkey Briefing: Erdogan considers Russian gas offer Putin’s offer to set up a natural gas hub in Turkey in a bid to reroute its gas supplies to Europe has generated more nuanced reactions in Ankara. By Al-Monitor Staff