Report reveals heavy impact of COVID-19 on Israeli Arabs A new report quantifies disparities in how the coronavirus crisis has affected Israel's Arab population. Israel
IRGC official urged Iraq militias to continue hitting US, report The IRGC intelligence chief's visit to Iraq last week followed one by top commander Ismail Ghaani. Iran
Zarif's final defense for Iran deal infuriates hard-liners Iran's foreign minister faced scathing attacks from hard-liners in parliament after his upbeat assessment of the status of the nuclear talks. Iran
Turkish soccer team flies home from Greece after virus test row Turkey, which has worked to repair its long-strained relations with Greece this year, summoned the Greek ambassador over the issue on Tuesday. By Al-Monitor Staff
Stream of Afghan asylum seekers reported in eastern Turkey As the United States continues its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, disputed reports indicate a rising number of asylum seekers of Afghan origin are crossing Turkey’s eastern border. Turkey
Saudis launch 'hajj smart card' The card will help authorities regulate entry into holy sites during the Islamic pilgrimage as well as crack down on illegal entry. By Al-Monitor Staff
UAE sends vaccines to Tunisia Tunisia is experiencing historic highs in daily COVID-19 cases, though its vaccination rate is among the highest in Africa. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish mobster claims AKP supporters secretly armed after putsch The latest bombshell by fugitive Turkish crime boss Sedat Peker has stoked calls for an investigation. Turkey
Iran rolls out matchmaking app to curb declining birthrate The Hamdan app aims to create "healthy" families and pair "bachelors seeking permanent marriage” with a wife. Iran
Israeli prime minister's dysfunctional, fragile coalition hits reality Trying to please all components of his coalition, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett now heads a government that is too large, too spread out and too geared on compromises. Israel
Erdogan, Herzog share rare phone call Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed their mutual desire for improving bilateral ties. Israel
Ship that blocked Suez Canal leaves Egyptian waters The Ever Given was released from Egyptian detention last week following an undisclosed agreement with the massive container ship's owner. News Brief
Iran says US prisoner swap negotiations underway The Iranian comments followed US special envoy for Iran Robert Malley's pledge that the United States would not accept a partial deal that does not bring home all four detained Americans from Iran. Iran
Iran presses for visa waiver from Iraq Iranian authorities continue to pressure the Iraqi government into waiving its travel visa between the two countries. Iraq
Russia resumes flights to Egyptian resorts after six-year halt Moscow has officially lifted the ban on flights to Egyptian resorts six years after a devastating air incident. Egypt
Has Israel’s army become too small? Outgoing IDF deputy chief of staff Eyal Zamir warned this week that Israel's army would struggle to manage the multiple threats facing the country. Israel
