Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Iran’s membership in Asian security body won’t solve sanctions problem

A picture shows daily newspapers on sale at a kiosk in the capital Tehran, on Sept. 18, 2021. Conservative and reformist newspapers showed rare unity in welcoming results of a conference yesterday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, where members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation endorsed Iran's future membership in the bloc.

Bijan Khajehpour | Iran | سبتمبر 22, 2021

This picture taken on May 14, 2021 shows an aerial view of Egypt's capital Cairo, showing the historic old Cairo district (C) and the Nile river islands of (C to top) Manial al-Roda and Zamalek.

Congo renews push to resolve Nile dam dispute

Muhammed Magdy | Egypt | سبتمبر 22, 2021

A shopkeeper wearing a protective mask amid the COVID-19 pandemic looks out a jewelry shop window displaying intricate pieces for women at the Dubai Gold Souk in the Gulf emirate, on March 10, 2021.

UAE relaxes mask rules as COVID-19 cases decline

Al-Monitor Staff | United Arab Emirates | سبتمبر 22, 2021

Arab-Israeli town gets development plan at last

Afif Abu Much | Israel | سبتمبر 22, 2021

Israel marks diplomatic victory as 33 countries boycott Durban IV conference

Catherine Labiran, the founder of The Praxis Project, addresses a high-level meeting to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration being held during the UN General Assembly 76th session General Debate at the United Nations Headquarters on Sept. 22, 2021 in New York.

Rina Bassist | Israel | سبتمبر 22, 2021

Egypt announces human rights strategy to mixed reviews

A picture taken during a guided tour organised by Egypt's State Information Service on Feb. 11, 2020, shows policemen standing guard in front of the Tora prison clinic on the southern outskirts of the Egyptian capital Cairo.

Mohamed Ashraf Abu Emaira | Egypt | سبتمبر 22, 2021

FEATURED PODCAST

Vivian Salama previews the Biden administration’s Middle East priorities at the UN General Assembly

On the Middle East with Andrew Parasiliti and Amberin Zaman | سبتمبر 20, 2021

FEATURED PODCAST

Dana Weiss: Bennett’s government here to stay

On Israel with Ben Caspit | سبتمبر 20, 2021

Insights

Exclusive insight and analysis from our trusted and independent authors writing from and about the region.

A narrow branch of the Nile river is seen in downtown street Feb. 10, 2011 in Cairo, Egypt.

Egypt to overhaul hydropower plants amid Nile dam crisis

Egypt will replace 19 turbines at the Aswan High Dam and Aswan Low Dam as Ethiopia prepares to start producing electricity from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in the coming months.

Mohamed Sabry | Egypt | سبتمبر 22, 2021

Hamas says recaptured jailbreakers must be part of swap deal

A correspondent in Gaza | Palestine | سبتمبر 22, 2021

UAE spends big to boost private sector workforce

Hussein Nagah | Gulf | سبتمبر 21, 2021

Sudan fends off military coup, government says

Al-Monitor Staff | Sudan | سبتمبر 21, 2021

Medical aid arrived from the United Arab Emirates is pictured at the airport in Kabul on Sept. 15, 2021.

UAE weighs opportunities, risks in Afghan diplomatic scrum

Samuel Ramani | Gulf | سبتمبر 21, 2021

Egypt investigates alleged shark attack off northern coast

Hagar Hosny | Egypt | سبتمبر 21, 2021

Jewish Israelis flock to Temple Mount in greater numbers

Danny Zaken | Israel | سبتمبر 21, 2021

News

Quick reporting to keep you up to date on the latest events in the Middle East.

Ethan Goldrich, the US charge d'affaires in the United Arab Emirates is pictured on Aug. 28, 2021 in Abu Dhabi as refugees who fled Afghanistan after the takeover of their country by the Taliban were gathering at the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in the Emirati capital, waiting to be transferred to another destination.

Biden administration appoints new Syria policy chief

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | سبتمبر 21, 2021

Iran says nuclear talks to resume in weeks

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | سبتمبر 21, 2021

Dutch court to hear Palestinian's civil case against Israeli commanders

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | سبتمبر 21, 2021

Saudi military trains with Greek forces

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | سبتمبر 21, 2021

This picture taken on Aug. 14, 2021, shows a Qatar Airways aircraft taking off from the airport in Kabul.

Qatar Airways flies more Americans out of Afghanistan

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | سبتمبر 20, 2021

UK foreign secretary to press Iranian FM on prisoners, nuclear deal

Al-Monitor Staff | Iran | سبتمبر 20, 2021

Pentagon says drone strike near Syria's Idlib targeted al-Qaeda official

Jared Szuba | Syria | سبتمبر 20, 2021

Lebanese judge sets new date for ex-PM to answers questions on Beirut port explosion

Al-Monitor Staff | Lebanon | سبتمبر 20, 2021

Yemeni men and children watch the execution of nine men, convicted of involvement in the assassination of Huthi political leader Saleh al-Sammad three years ago, at a public square in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, on Sept. 18, 2021.

EU condemns Houthi execution of 9 Yemenis by firing squad

Al-Monitor Staff | Yemen | سبتمبر 20, 2021

Egypt receives vaccine doses via France

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | سبتمبر 20, 2021

Syria's defense chief visits Jordan to discuss border security

Al-Monitor Staff | Syria | سبتمبر 20, 2021

Egypt's security forces harassing activists into silence, Amnesty says

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | سبتمبر 17, 2021

Culture

A vibrant tapestry of art, culture, music, food and history that fosters a sense of regional shared identities.

Tourists visit the Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor, Egypt, March 10, 2020.

Egypt to announce opening of world’s largest open museum in Luxor governorate

George Mikhail | Culture | سبتمبر 8, 2021

An Egyptian archaeologist brushes the top of a carved black wooden sarcophagus inlaid with gilded sheets, dating to Egypt's Late Period (7th-4th century BC), on the west bank of the Nile north of the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, Nov. 24, 2018.

Extreme heat takes toll on Egypt's archaeological heritage

Salwa Samir | Culture | سبتمبر 2, 2021

This picture shows a whale skeleton at the Wadi el-Haitan Fossil and Climate Change Museum in Fayoum, Egypt, Jan. 14, 2016.

Did whales originate in Egyptian waters?

Muhammed Magdy | Culture | أغسطس 31, 2021

Videos

Explore social and cultural context of the Middle East as seen, experienced and understood by those who live there.

Iran’s membership in Asian security body won’t solve sanctions problem

Congo renews push to resolve Nile dam dispute

UAE relaxes mask rules as COVID-19 cases decline

Arab-Israeli town gets development plan at last

Israel marks diplomatic victory as 33 countries boycott Durban IV conference

Egypt announces human rights strategy to mixed reviews

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FEATURED PODCAST

Vivian Salama previews the Biden administration’s Middle East priorities at the UN General Assembly

FEATURED PODCAST

Dana Weiss: Bennett’s government here to stay

Insights

Egypt to overhaul hydropower plants amid Nile dam crisis

Hamas says recaptured jailbreakers must be part of swap deal

UAE spends big to boost private sector workforce

Sudan fends off military coup, government says

UAE weighs opportunities, risks in Afghan diplomatic scrum

Egypt investigates alleged shark attack off northern coast

Jewish Israelis flock to Temple Mount in greater numbers

News

Biden administration appoints new Syria policy chief

Iran says nuclear talks to resume in weeks

Dutch court to hear Palestinian's civil case against Israeli commanders

Saudi military trains with Greek forces

Qatar Airways flies more Americans out of Afghanistan

UK foreign secretary to press Iranian FM on prisoners, nuclear deal

Pentagon says drone strike near Syria's Idlib targeted al-Qaeda official

Lebanese judge sets new date for ex-PM to answers questions on Beirut port explosion

EU condemns Houthi execution of 9 Yemenis by firing squad

Egypt receives vaccine doses via France

Syria's defense chief visits Jordan to discuss border security

Egypt's security forces harassing activists into silence, Amnesty says

Culture

Egypt to announce opening of world’s largest open museum in Luxor governorate

Extreme heat takes toll on Egypt's archaeological heritage

Did whales originate in Egyptian waters?

Videos

The dangerous profession of fishing in Gaza

Middle East Minute for August 27, 2021

The Takeaway by Al-Monitor for August 26, 2021

Gaza man builds race car

The Takeaway by Al-Monitor for August 19, 2021

Gaza rock band overcomes conservative traditions

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