Rouhani defends annual performance from floods to coronavirus The Iranian president's end-of-year speech was full of boastful optimism, but the nation remembers a year that began with killer downpours and is ending with a deadly epidemic. Iran
Fresh fighting in Yemen’s Marib province leaves dozens dead Tuesday's clashes in Yemen between pro-government forces and Houthi rebels have killed dozens of fighters from both sides. Yemen
Israel, US pretend East Jerusalem Palestinians don’t exist The latest report by the US State Department refers to Palestinians of East Jerusalem as “non-Israeli residents,’’ as if changing their description could change the reality. Palestine
How Netanyahu is turning Israel into a banana republic Once the coronavirus crisis is over, Israelis will discover what Arab Knesset members warned a long time ago: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "stole" their democracy. Israel
Turkey’s geostrategic orientation at crossroads amid Idlib tangle Confusion prevails in Ankara on how to resolve the entangled Idlib crisis and the choices it will ultimately make could bear on its geostrategic orientations in the coming years. Syria
Coronavirus, not Iran, Netanyahu’s biggest test Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has focused his political career on battling the Iranian nuke program as the biggest threat to Israel, but his legacy ultimately hinges on the way he confronts the current coronavirus outbreak. Israel
Egyptians split over how to deal with COVID-19 in overcrowded prisons Egyptian rights groups are calling for the release of prisoners to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. Egypt
Egypt steps up diplomatic action in Nile dam dispute Egypt’s foreign minister embarked on a regional and international tour to seek international support in Cairo’s dispute with Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Islamic State children still waiting for Tunisia to bring them home Dozens of Tunisian children of IS militants are still stuck in Syria, Libya and Iraq as the government continues to wrestle with the logistics of bringing them home. Iraq
Yemen conflict leaves impact on judiciary A Houthi-run court in Sanaa sentenced to death 35 parliamentarians on charges of treason, which risks further dividing society in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Members of popular Turkish folk collective approach death on hunger strike Turkey's iconic Grup Yorum has not been able to perform since 2016 and a number of its members have been jailed on dubious terror charges. Turkey
Turkey’s public broadcaster registers as foreign agent TRT's registration comes as the Donald Trump administration has been pressing state broadcasters to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. United Arab Emirates
Russia, Turkey conduct first joint patrol in Idlib The first joint Russian-Turkish patrol along Syria's M4 highway didn’t go perfectly smoothly, but bigger challenges are already looming on the horizon. Syria
Turkey bringing home citizens stranded in Europe amid coronavirus lockdowns Turkey will quarantine its citizens who return home after travel abroad. Turkey
Erdogan meets virtually with EU leaders under coronavirus cloud Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a mini Syria summit with France, the United Kingdom and Germany's leaders today. Syria
Intel: Senate plans imminent vote on Lebanon sanctions bill The Senate is getting ready to vote on legislation that would sanction Lebanese officials responsible for wrongfully detaining American citizens, Al-Monitor has learned. Lebanon
