Russia, Iraq face OPEC+ cuts, look to new deals While Iraq's dependence on imported Iranian electricity continues to worry Washington, the key to breaking this energy dependence lies in the development of its own gas fields. Iraq
Intel: Trump administration to propose $3 billion drone sale to UAE News of the proposal comes a week after the administration informally notified Congress of its intent to sell F-35 fighter jets to Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates
Facebook closes suspicious accounts from Iran, Muslim Brotherhood The accounts engaged in coordinated activity aimed at manipulating public opinion in Israel, Tunisia and other countries. Facebook has gone after Iranian information operations before. Iran
As Biden takes lead, Palestinians eager to return to talks with US While Palestinian officials don't expect a Biden administration to roll back all of Trump's policies, they are hopeful for a change in course in US-Palestinian ties. Palestine
Intel: CENTCOM disputes watchdog report on Yemen civilian casualties The US military denied involvement in dozens of incidents in which civilians were reportedly killed. Yemen
Hearts in throats across Israel as US votes tallied Many Israelis are as emotionally invested in the US elections as though the domestic political contest were their own. Israel
Tunisia allows man to drop slavery-linked name One Tunisian man has won the battle to remove a part of his name that indicated slave status, but human rights organizations see the decision as a small step in a country that still suffers rampant racism and discrimination. Tunisia
Is Netanyahu ready for Biden? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers for Donald Trump to stay in the White House, but will also know how to operate vis-a-vis his old acquaintance Joe Biden. Israel
Egypt heads to Khartoum to avert crisis over disputed Halayeb-Shalateen area The controversy between Egypt and Sudan over the Halayeb and Shalateen region was renewed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in a recorded video with a map in the background showing the Halayeb and Shalateen Triangle as part of the Sudanese lands. Egypt
As Turkey pounds northeast Syria, residents fear new operation A year after Operation Peace Spring, the residents in the areas under the control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces fear a new Turkish operation. Syria
WHO regional director says COVID-19 threat far from over, despite vaccine progress In a lengthy interview with Al-Monitor, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed al-Mandhari warns the coronavirus "remains a cause for concern," as he discussed his organization’s efforts to help the countries of the region cope with the pandemic. Gulf
Syrian refugee in Lebanon sets himself on fire The UN refugee agency said the 58-year-old man was hospitalized and is receiving the necessary care. Lebanon
Intel: Departure of foreign forces from Libya in question ahead of political talks in Tunis An agreement between rival Libyan military representatives this week made no mention of the UN-backed cease-fire's demand that foreign mercenaries leave by January Turkey
Iran’s supreme leader ridicules US over election ‘spectacle’ Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has previously said Iran is not concerned about who wins the election. United States
Assad blames Syria’s economic turmoil on Lebanon, not sanctions Syrian President Bashar al-Assad estimates that Syrians hold between $20 billion and $42 billion in Lebanon's banks. Syria
Biden win means war with Iran, warns Israeli minister Israel's settlements minister is one of the many officials who want Donald Trump to retain the US presidency, in large part because of his Iran policies. Israel
