Qatar makes massive LNG ship order The purchase by Qatar Petroleum from three South Korean companies comes as oil prices continue to rise from the lows earlier in the year. Qatar
Turkey ignores its own record, denouncing press clampdown in US protests Turkish officials have denounced the crackdown on journalists in the United States, drawing criticism given Ankara's own record on press freedom. Turkey
Minorities in Turkey on edge amid threats, attacks Vulnerable groups have faced intimidation or worse in recent weeks in what both the government and the opposition warn are efforts to stoke conflict, though they disagree on who’s to blame. Turkey
Libya’s warring parties agree to resume cease-fire talks, UN says The United Nations Support Mission in Libya said the rival governments would resume talks over securing a lasting truce in the war-torn country. Libya
Intel: US returns acquitted Iranian scientist, no apparent prisoner swap The United States has returned an acquitted Iranian scientist to his home country after holding him for months in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. Iran
Israeli museums reopen with a bang after COVID-19 Several museums in Israel are reopening their doors this week, after having been closed for more than two months due to the coronavirus outbreak. Israel
Kurdish authorities in Iraq lift lockdown following protests The reimposed lockdown came amid an increase in COVID-19 cases, but people protested the lack of work opportunities due to the restrictions. Iraqi-Kurdistan
‘An insult to women’ everywhere: Afrin kidnappings prompt calls for investigation of Turkey-backed rebels A video reportedly showing detained women inside a secret prison in Afrin has prompted further criticism of Turkey's proxy forces operating in Syria. Syria
Anti-Saudi blocs in Iraqi parliament want to sue Iraqi political forces said they intend to enact a law to sue Saudi Arabia and have Riyadh compensate for the damage caused by suicide attacks carried out by Saudis in Iraq, which would embarrass the Mustafa al-Kadhimi government that is making a new start in Iraqi-Saudi economic relations. Iraq
Intel: SDF commander reports progress on Kurdish reconciliation talks in Syria Mazlum Kobani, commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, announced Friday that the first stage of reconciliation talks with rival Kurdish National Council has “gone well” and that “the second phase has begun.” Syria
Coronavirus shambles IDF plans for a super digital army Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi’s plan of turning the IDF into the world’s most digital army is currently being foiled by coronavirus-induced budget cuts. Israel
Netanyahu, Gantz criticized over emergency COVID-19 bill Many Israelis feel that a bill extending emergency powers to fight a possible second wave of the novel coronavirus goes much too far. Israel
'Palestinian Lives Matter,' shout Israeli protesters over killing of Iyad Hallak The killing of autistic Palestinian man Iyad Hallak is arguably a perfect example of brutality by a police force that sees all Arab civilians as suspects. Israel
Palestinians draw parallels between disabled man's killing, US police violence against black people When an Israeli soldier shot to death a disabled unarmed Palestinian, it triggered an angry reaction around the world and especially in the United States, which has been dealing with its own police brutality against unarmed black men. Palestine
US commander suggests sending military trainers to Tunisia after Russia sends aircraft to Libya Backed by military contractors, Russia deployed military fighter jets to Al Jufra Airfield in Libya, prompting the US Army to consider sending military training personnel to neighboring Tunisia. Libya
Turkey looks to link Syrian Kurdish militia to ANTIFA following Trump tweet Some foreign veterans of the People's Protection Units (YPG) disagree with the Turkish assertion that ANTIFA and the Kurdish group are connected. Turkey
