Videos

The fisherwoman of Gaza

Umm Jamil from central Gaza loves fishing, but she doesn’t own a boat of her own. Instead, she inherited the profession of buying and selling fish from her father and late husband, waking up at dawn each morning to barter with fishermen at nearby docks and then selling what she bought at local markets. By Ruwaida Amer, Abdel Kareem Hana and Joe Snell

Farmers in Syria's Idlib confront global wheat shortage

Several NGOs and authorities in Syria’s Idlib province have launched various projects to support farmers amid concerns over flour and wheat supplies in the war-torn country. By Mouneb Taim and Joe Snell.

Soundbite: Lahib Higel, Senior Iraq Analyst at the International Crisis Group, on the Sinjar agreement

Middle East Minute: Biden expected to travel to Saudi Arabia next month

In just one minute (and 26 seconds), Al-Monitor's Joe Snell catches you up on this story and more from around the Middle East and North Africa.

Soundbite: Al-Monitor Iran columnist Bijan Khajehpour on a potential US-Iran prisoner swap deal

Middle East Minute: Erdogan threatens new military operation in northeast Syria

Turkey’s president on Monday said his country would soon launch a new military incursion into northeast Syria to combat terrorism threats. In just one minute, Al-Monitor's Joe Snell catches you up on this story and more from around the Middle East and North Africa.

Ancient temple to Greek god Zeus discovered in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula

Egyptian archeologists have unearthed the ruins of a Roman temple dedicated to Zeus in the Sinai Peninsula, continuing excavation work that first began in the early 20th century. Joe Snell reports. Read the full report by Rasha Mahmoud here: Ancient temple to Zeus uncovered in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula

Middle East Minute: Finland holds "open and direct" talks with Turkey

Finland’s President on Saturday said he had "open and direct" talks with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss his country’s bid for NATO membership.   In just one minute, Al-Monitor's Joe Snell catches you up on this story and more from around the Middle East and North Africa.

Lebanese elections in one word: خرق

More than a dozen independent candidates on Sunday won the right to sit in the country’s parliament following Lebanon's parliamentary election. Meanwhile, mainstay political parties like Hezbollah and its allies lost majority positions. Former Sunni Leader and ex-prime minister Saad Hariri’s political party boycotted the election, reducing the party’s representation. And important and renowned political figures lost their seats. These are among the biggest headlines to emerge from Lebanon’s parliamentary election on Sunday. Joe Snell reports.

Ancient gate to iconic Hagia Sophia vandalized

One of the world’s most significant historical sites has been damaged. The head of the Turkish Union of Art History said it could be the first of many disasters in the world heritage site due to neglect. If no precautions are taken to protect these heritage sites, Serif Yaser said, “The dome of the Hagia Sophia might collapse on worshippers by 2050.” Read more here: Experts warn Istanbul's iconic Hagia Sophia at risk as ancient gate damaged