Qatar’s World Cup organizers accused of not paying migrant workers Human rights organization Amnesty International said roughly 100 employees of a Qatari subcontractor went up to seven months without receiving salaries. Originals
Intel: China may pose greater challenge to US hegemony in Mideast than Russia The top US military commander for operations in the Middle East said that China’s economic influence in the Middle East may one day pose a greater challenge to US strategic interests than Russia in the region, even as the Kremlin seeks wider military presence in Syria and Libya. Originals
Hashemite white paper says Arabs were first inhabitants of Jerusalem A white paper by the Amman-based think tank the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought suggests 5,000 years of continuous Arab presence in Jerusalem, specifying the Hashemite custodianship of Christian and Muslim holy sites in the city. Palestine
Anger over male Knesset member appointed to head women's rights committee Women's rights groups are furious over the appointment of male Knesset member Oded Forer to head the Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality. Israel
Libya’s warring parties participate in ‘productive’ cease-fire talks, UN says The UN Mission in Libya said the Government of National Accord and the Libyan National Army were involved in another round of truce talks. Originals
Erdogan banks on Trump’s friendship to deal with Libya Turkey needs the support of the United States more than it did months ago to implement its regional agenda in Libya and beyond. Turkey
Intel: State Department official 'tried to bully' watchdog reviewing Saudi arms sale The independent watchdog ousted by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that a high-ranking State Department official “tried to bully” him in part because of his review of last year’s emergency arms sale for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia
Report: Israel’s El Al airline could be owned by state again El Al is facing major difficulties during the current economic and health crises and is seeking government help as Israel's borders remain closed. Israel
The Takeaway: Muslim Brotherhood dealt ‘death blow’ in Egypt for now, renowned French scholar says Highlights: In Al-Monitor podcast, Gilles Kepel discusses his new book, “Away from Chaos”; George Floyd protests resonate in Iraq; Erdogan links antifa to Kurdish groups; Migrant workers in Gulf face uncertain post-COVID future; Google technology boosts Egyptian archaeology; and more! Originals
US watchdog group: Turkey’s actions in Syria endanger religious diversity The partial withdrawal of US troops from northeast Syria in October created a vacuum for religious repression, a bipartisan US agency says. Syria
Dubai-based airline Emirates cuts jobs again Emirates has resumed regular passenger flights, but the carrier had to reduce the size of its workforce concurrent with its reduced operations, a spokesperson said. United Arab Emirates
Iran’s debt-ridden international broadcasters face closure Iran’s state-funded international TV channels, including Press TV, could soon be taken off the air due to accumulated debt amid the country’s cash reserve crisis. Iran
Turkish Foreign Ministry rejects Libya cease-fire Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu dismissed an Egypt-brokered cease-fire in Libya, as Tripoli forces pursue an offensive on Sirte after a string of victories. Turkey
Rocket hits Baghdad as US-Iraq dialogue set to launch In order to reorganize the relationship between the two countries in various aspects, Iraq and the United States are negotiating over a new strategic agreement. Iraq
In Israel, German foreign minister expresses concern over annexation plan On a short visit to Israel, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed concern over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annexation plan and called upon the government to return to the two-state solution. Israel
Kurdistan Region parliament in Iraq closes after COVID-19 cases Some members and staff were found to have COVID-19 after tests as the virus spreads quickly throughout the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Iraqi-Kurdistan
