Netanyahu ignores IDF generals, runs his own show Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff as an associate of his rival Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Israel
Iran hard-liners set up roadblocks around Reformist candidates for president Half a year away from Iran’s presidential election, the country’s hard-liners are already hard at work to ensure the next president is on their side. Iran
Egyptian star under fire for fraternizing with Israelis Egyptian actor and singer Mohamed Ramadan has come under attack after photos of him with Israeli celebrities surfaced to a storm of condemnation from critics opposed to ties with Egypt's former foe. Egypt
Erdogan weighs new reality in US-Turkey ties under Biden The Turkish president, after backing Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabagh, could feel emboldened to move in Syria, but anticipating the next administration may give pause. Turkey
As EU mulls sanctions against Turkey, East Med allies to begin joint drills Egypt, Greece and Cyprus are preparing to conduct joint military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea as a European summit is expected to impose sanctions on Ankara amid escalating tensions over maritime borders and gas exploration rights. Turkey
Iran to execute Iran-Swedish scientist Amnesty International said the charges against Ahmadreza Djalali are unfounded and Sweden spoke to Iran about his case. Originals
Turkey's Erdogan crushes hopes of reform, lashes out at AKP veteran In an address before parliament, the president said there "is no Kurdish problem" in Turkey and took aim at fellow AKP member Bulent Arinc over the latter's comments supporting the release of a jailed Kurdish leader. Turkey
US sanctions Libyan militia, leader loyal to Hifter The US Treasury Department blacklisted the Kaniyat militia and Mohamed al-Kani over alleged human rights abuses. Libya
Australian-British academic reportedly released from Iranian prison Kylie Moore-Gilbert was arrested in 2018 and charged with espionage, which she denied throughout her harsh confinement in Iran's notorious Evin and Qarchak prisons. Iran
Israel again strikes targets in southern Syria Syria's state news media reported material damage from an Israeli strike on Syrian air defenses and Iranian militias in the country yesterday. Israel
Yemen’s Houthis grant UN inspectors access to aging oil tanker Experts say the FSO Safer, a dilapidated vessel that contains more than a million barrels of light crude oil, is at risk of rupturing and spilling more oil than the Exxon Valdez. Yemen
Will Biden save the two-state solution? President-elect Joe Biden must know that opting for confidence-building measures, instead of pushing the sides into negotiating a permanent settlement, would only perpetuate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Iran's president says post-Trump de-escalation with US can be 'easy' President Hassan Rouhani said Tehran could ease tensions with the new US administration, only one day after Iran’s supreme leader expressed disappointment at negotiations. Iran
Is Turkey gearing up for military move against Syrian Kurds? A marked increase in Turkish military activity in the area between Ain Issa and Tall Tamer in northern Syria has raised the specter of a fresh Turkish military move to curb the Kurds before Trump leaves the White House. Syria
Honor killings against women increase in southeast Syrian city Civil activists protested the lack of judiciary against domestic violence and honor killings, launching the hashtag “Our blood is on your hands” and calling on the government to consider honor killings as a crime to prevent the death of more women. Syria
Will reopening of border crossing drive Saudi investment in Iraq? Iraq and Saudi Arabia are opening the Arar border crossing, a move that should boost Saudi investment in Iraq. Saudi Arabia
