Middle East leaders congratulate Biden on win Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has notably not commented on the former vice president’s victory in the US presidential election. Originals
Israel in talks for Pfizer's vaccine, official says US drug company Pfizer said on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine is more than 90% effective. Israel
UN agency for Palestinian refugees runs out of money to pay salaries The announcement comes as the UN body is strained with increased demands and still reeling from a total funding withdrawal imposed by the Trump administration. Israel
Trump fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper The US president abruptly fired his defense secretary via Twitter after months of reports that Esper had fallen out of favor. U.S.
Opposition slams Netanyahu for allegedly approving US-Emirates F-35 deal Opposition members keep slamming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the imminent sale by the United States to the UAE of F-35 stealth jets. Israel
Syrian Kurdish commander sees chance to ease tensions with Turkey under Biden In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mazlum Kobane said the former vice president's victory may well spell change in Ankara’s behavior. Syria
Libya’s rival sides meet in Tunis to discuss Libya's political future Talks aim to lay the groundwork for a unity government in hope of eventually ending Libya's decadelong war. Libya
Shakeup of economy team stuns Turkey, cheers investors Presidential son-in-law Berat Albayrak has quit as finance minister amid economic turmoil, but most news outlets pretended it didn’t happen. Turkey
Iraq’s camp closures could leave 100,000 homeless as winter looms The Norwegian Refugee Council said displaced Iraqis are being forced from their camps with little notice. Iraq
Suspected Islamic State gunmen kill 11 at military post outside Baghdad Initial reports suggest the attack is the largest against Iraqi security forces in months. Iraq
Following Biden win, Iran says nuclear deal not up for review Iranian officials have not been eager to speculate on what a Joe Biden US presidency means for their country. U.S.
G20 should press Saudi Arabia on jailed activists, rights group says Pressure is building on Riyadh ahead of the annual G20 summit later this month. Saudi Arabia
Islamic State regroups in Syrian Kurdish region Islamic State cells carry out assassinations against the SDF in the SDF-controlled countryside of Deir ez-Zor on an almost daily basis, affecting some civilians and tribal leaders close to the SDF. Syria
Unions rally workers against controversial new Egyptian laws Hundreds of employees from Egypt’s Workers University, a private university, began a strike and sit-in because salaries of employees have not been paid in the past two months, as Egypt approves controversial amendments to the law on the public sector. Egypt
Germany concludes major naval arms package to Egypt, despite opposition Egypt boosts its naval power after Germany agrees to sell naval equipment to Cairo amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas resources. Originals
Egypt bets on oranges to boost exports to Japan Japan allowed the Egyptian government to export citrus fruits after long negotiations between the two sides, in a step officials and experts believe will contribute to increasing Egyptian exports, pumping foreign currency into the country, creating job opportunities and increasing farmers’ income. Egypt