China holds second air drill with Egypt: What to know China is seeking to strengthen ties with Egypt and Gulf states, including via joint air drills. Egypt
Culture Beyond King Tut: Cairo’s Egyptian Museum looks to reinvent itself With Cairo's Egyptian Museum approaching its 125th anniversary, efforts are underway to reposition it on the cultural map in light of competition from newer, glitzier museums. Egypt
After meeting Netanyahu, Kushner agrees Hamas disarmament precedes Israel's withdrawal Israel and the Gaza Board of Peace have agreed that the Israeli military will begin withdrawing from the Gaza Strip after Hamas disarms. Israel
Analysis How Israel's rivalry, defense deals prompted Turkey to join Mecca pact Turkey’s growing rivalry with Israel and mounting regional instability are driving its defense alignment with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, despite risks of strategic entanglement and friction with NATO partners. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Israel moves against West Bank settlers after Huckabee criticism By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Fidan heads to Egypt amid questions over Saudi Arabia-Turkey-Pakistan pact By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Abu Mazen plays losing hand badly in Gaza Strip The Palestinian president faces a challenge from a bitter rival backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates; what is Saddam Hussein’s family doing in Qatar?; Russia and the United States wary of Turkish military intervention in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's dependent fees leave Egyptian expats in dire straits Dependents of expat workers in Saudi Arabia will be charged a dependent fee starting in 2017, which is a further strain on the salaries of foreign workers and will likely result in large numbers of families going back home. Saudi Arabia
Egypt keen on protecting Qatari investments Egypt recently severed ties with Qatar, but believes the countries' economic relationship should stay above the fray. Qatar
Dahlan preps for return to Gaza Former Fatah senior official Mohammed Dahlan is venerated now in the Gaza Strip as the man who closed the deal with Egypt to renew electricity flow. Palestine
Egypt, Dahlan foiling Abbas' plot against Hamas in Gaza Strip Senior Fatah leaders have lashed out at Egypt over deals reached with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ archrival Mohammed Dahlan to improve conditions in Gaza, even as Abbas is trying to pressure Hamas there. Palestine
Egypt fails to make headway as it navigates Nile River talks In the wake of a failed attempt by the Nile Basin states to reach an agreement, Al-Monitor speaks with a former Egyptian Foreign Ministry official on what comes next. Egypt
House rejects Trump’s Middle East aid cuts The House spending bill calls for far more assistance to North Africa. Egypt
Egyptian band hopes Islamic hits will resonate in translation The Egyptian band Art Compilers has been translating well-known Islamic songs into English, but the jury is still out on its success. Egypt
Egypt opposition MP: Resigning over island transfer 'no longer useful' Nadia Henry, a member of Egypt’s opposition 25-30 bloc in parliament, tells Al-Monitor that the opposition will continue to fight the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia, and that a larger opposition coalition could be created. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's doubled rations no cause for celebration as prices set to soar The Egyptian government has doubled rations for millions of citizens even as the new budget outlines a plan to reduce and eventually eliminate subsidies altogether. Egypt
Economists praise Egyptian court ruling on jobless benefits The Egyptian government is mulling over a high court’s decision that the constitution guarantees financial help to the country’s unemployed. Egypt
Cairo's zoo falls into neglect Giza Zoo, once considered one of the best zoos in the world, is struggling to improve conditions for animals as well as visitors after losing international accreditation. Egypt
