Iraqi-Syrian desert border area key amid geopolitical tensions Recent security incidents indicate that the Islamic State continues to operate in the Iraqi-Syrian border area despite reduced capabilities. Iraq
Lebanon returns to lockdown for four days Lebanon had eased its anti-coronavirus restrictions, but an uptick in cases has prompted a reversal. Lebanon
Iraq reopens 2 border crossings to help boost battered Iranian economy Two of five Iranian-Iraqi border crossings reopen for both goods and individuals, to the benefit of Iran's sanctions- and coronavirus-hit economy, and of Iraqis in the south and in the KRG-run north. Iraq
Intel: Trump congratulates Iraq’s new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi President Donald Trump has congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on his confirmation by Iraq’s Council of Representatives. Iraq
UAE students stir fashion market demand amid COVID-19 Two UAE students are taking advantage of the lockdown imposed to contain the coronavirus outbreak in order to grow their sustainable fashion line. United Arab Emirates
Detainee’s death raises concerns on conditions of prisoners in Egypt Egyptian artist Shady Habash died under strange circumstances in a prison cell where he had been in pretrial detention since 2018, raising criticism from local and international rights organizations. Egypt
Why is Egypt building more walls around Gaza? Although Hamas has taken several measures to boost security on the border with Egypt and prevent any attempt to infiltrate into the Egyptian territory, Egypt continues to build walls and destroy the tunnels. Palestine
Pandemic won't halt construction on Egypt’s first nuclear power plant Although a series of mega projects have been postponed in Egypt due to the coronavirus outbreak, work on the country’s first nuclear power plant continues. Egypt
Egyptian rights activists sound alarm over pretrial detention of political detainees A court decision to extend the pretrial detention of hundreds of political prisoners without their presence raised the ire of rights organizations calling for the detainees’ immediate release. Egypt
As trial nears, Netanyahu’s associates go after attorney general Loyalists of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ramped up their attacks on the legal system and mudslinging against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. Israel
Will EU sanction Israel over annexation plans? European Union foreign ministers might consider threatening Israel with sanctions, in an effort to thwart Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
UN calls on Israel to release Palestinian children from jails amid coronavirus Three UN officials urge Israeli authorities to free detained Palestinian children to protect them from COVID-19. Palestine
Coronavirus, war prompts northeast Syrian schools to go online The Kurdish-led government in northeast Syria is putting classes online and may continue to use the internet for education beyond the coronavirus. Syria
Intel: Biden adviser says Iran deal supporters, detractors both wrong on sanctions' effectiveness A longtime foreign policy adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden argued on Monday that President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal has proven both the accord’s supporters and detractors wrong “about a critical thing.” United States
Iraq arrests pro-Iran militiamen accused of killing protester Iraq's new prime minister, Mustafa Kadhimi, ordered the raid after protests resumed in the southern province of Basra. Iraq
19 sailors dead after Iran accidentally fires missile on own ship Iranian state media report 19 sailors are dead and 15 wounded after a friendly fire incident in the Gulf of Oman. Iran
