Turkish-American economist Daron Acemoglu wins joint Nobel Prize Turkish-American Daron Acemoglu has become Turkey's third Nobel laureate. Turkey
Interview NATO deepens engagement with Iraq as US prepares to withdraw In an exclusive Al-Monitor interview, Lucas Schreurs, commander of NATO Mission Iraq, explains the scope of his outfit's mandate. Commander of NATO Mission Iraq Lucas Schreurs
Azerbaijan detains Iranian boat for alleged drug smuggling The incident has added to tense ties between Iran and Azerbaijan, in part due to the Baku’s ties to Israel and Tehran's support to Armenia. Iran
Iran-Azerbaijan ties still off track despite diplomatic gestures Azerbaijan's energy minister visited Tehran for preparations to reopen his country's embassy, but such hot-button issues as the Nakhchivan corridor and Azerbaijan's affinity with Israel appeared as stumbling blocks on the path to effective normalization. Iran
Egypt boots public servants from railways over Brotherhood links Egyptian authorities blame Muslim Brotherhood-linked staff for a series of deadly rail accidents and have moved scores of them from operational roles. Egypt
Syrian jihadist group expands control in areas outside Idlib The government run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib imposed more measures to isolate its areas of influence in northwestern Syria. Syria
Iraq moves to protect state property The Iraqi government launched a campaign to remove encroachments in Iraq, which is more likely to anger political parties and armed groups whose huge influence has allowed their supporters to encroach on state-owned land. Iraq
Former Egyptian PM Kamal al-Ganzouri dies at 88 Ganzouri, who died in a hospital following a "long struggle with illness," twice held the title of prime minister. News Brief
Kuwait’s new government takes charge following latest showdown with parliament A new Cabinet is sworn in to address economic and COVID-related challenges. Kuwait
King’s call to revisit political reforms triggers cautious optimism in Jordan In an interview, King Abdullah focused on the need to launch political and administrative reforms that include reviewing laws that govern elections and political parties, in a move that coincides with the start of the Biden administration. Jordan
Oman moves ahead with overdue reforms Oman's leadership pushes ahead with reforms, cornered by the COVID-19 crisis and long-standing weaknesses in the local economy. Activists call for a constitutional monarchy. Oman
Kuwait's prime minister submits Cabinet's resignation Ministers handed in their resignations Tuesday amid a standoff with parliament. Kuwait
Bahrain appoints crown prince as new prime minister Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa will immediately take over as premier, the state news agency reported. Bahrain
Iraqi cleric pushes for elections, new social contract, in support of prime minister Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim, the head of Iraqioun parliamentary bloc and Hikma movement, is seeking to chart a nonsectarian alternative to the existing political structure. Iraq
Why can't Iraqis agree on national day holiday? Seventeen years after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, Iraq has neither a national day nor a national anthem. Iraq
Kadhimi follows through on promises to reform Iraq's security sector Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi's recent appointments and reforms are likely to face resistance from some political blocs and armed groups who feel they are losing power. Iraq
