Here is what to know about Kuwait-Iraq maritime dispute Arab Gulf countries expressed support for Kuwait’s sovereignty after Iraq sent a revised map of its maritime borders that reignited a decades-old dispute over sea boundaries between the two neighbors. Kuwait
Qatar PM arrives in Venezuela on first trip since Maduro’s ouster: What to know Qatar is moving to shore up ties with Venezuela as the US seeks greater control over the South American country’s oil revenues. Qatar
Analysis Egyptians in for another expensive Ramadan despite recovering economy Egyptians tend to spend more during the Islamic holy month relative to the rest of the year, but high inflation and low wages have reduced their purchasing power. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Exclusive Direct Turkey-Armenia land trade to begin amid US-led Caucasus peace push New transit arrangement via Georgia cuts re-export costs, marking accelerating normalization between Ankara and Yerevan amid broader US-led peace efforts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Why Algeria's nixing of UAE air deal is more diplomatic than economic By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Egyptians hoard gold jewelry The price of gold in Egypt has declined, amid growing demand for jewelry. Egypt
Israel loosens restrictions on trade, travel from Gaza Israel is reopening the Erez pedestrian crossing to merchants and businesspeople after closing over coronavirus concerns last year. News Brief
Israeli budget approved in victory for Arab coalition party The big winner of the approval of Israel’s 2021 state budget is the leader of the Arab coalition party Ra’am, Mansour Abbas. Israel
Middle East economic outlook hinges on vaccinations Five countries to watch: Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Oman. Egypt
Half a million children in Lebanon still 'struggling to survive' after Beirut blast A new report from Save the Children found the families of 564,000 children can't afford sufficient food and other basic goods. Lebanon
Affordable housing for Jaffa’s Arab residents: too little, too late With the prices of houses skyrocketing in the center of Israel, even projects designed for the low-income Arab population of Jaffa have become too expensive for them. Israel
The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town. Tunisia
France to host Lebanon aid conference as political crisis deepens French President Emmanuel Macron will host the Aug. 4 conference, which comes a year after the devastating blast at Beirut's port. Lebanon
Hariri steps down as prime minister-designate after dispute with president Lebanon has been without a government for nearly a year as the economic crisis in the country worsens. By Al-Monitor Staff
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
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
Saudi Arabia’s race for Gulf economic leadership takes to the sky The kingdom diversification plan goes head-to-head with flag carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways, as intra-Gulf economic rivalries heat up on all fronts. Legacy: Gulf
