Middle East Minute for February 12, 2021 - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Catch up on some of this week’s biggest headlines from around the Middle East with Al-Monitor. History is made in the UAE, UN experts shame over 50 countries for failing to repatriate nationals in Syria, and a prominent women’s rights activist was released from Saudi prison.

A sneak peak from season two of Khateera’s Smatouha Menni which is expected to release in March 2023.

Arab women's group 'Khateera' dares to defy, one narrative at a time

Salim A. Essaid

TOPSHOT - People walk past tents in the Kurdish-run al-Hol camp in the al-Hasakeh governorate in northeastern Syria on August 25, 2020, where families of Islamic State (IS) foreign fighters are held. (Photo by Delil SOULEIMAN / AFP) (Photo by DELIL SOULEIMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

57 nations hit for failure to repatriate women, children from Syrian camps

Al-Monitor Staff

Al-Monitor Staff

Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul is seen in this undated handout picture. Marieke Wijntjes/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC14DBE1A650

Trial of detained Saudi women's activist postponed in Riyadh

Al-Monitor Staff

Al-Monitor Staff

A woman wearing a protective face mask and gloves walks past the Imamzadeh Saleh shrine, amid fear of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Tehran, Iran April 2, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Ali Khara via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY - RC2DWF9GIRD0

Women, children face increased risk of abuse during Mideast lockdowns

Week in Review