Saudi Arabia will make coronavirus vaccines free to residents The kingdom hopes to vaccinate up to 70% of its population by the end of 2021. Saudi Arabia
Israel's Netanyahu planning to visit Bahrain 'soon' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement followed his phone call with Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Tuesday. Bahrain
Gantz slams Netanyahu for 'chaos' in Israeli political crisis The decision by Defense Minister Benny Gantz to open an inquiry into the submarine affair, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu excluding Gantz on the trip to Saudi Arabia, brings the political crisis to an unprecedented point. Israel
Israel, Gulf rapprochement could worry Yemen, Iran Israel is concerned over growing Iranian entrenchment in Yemen, not unlike the way Iran operates in Syria. Gulf
Iran to pursue legal action against US over medical sanctions Tehran has struggled to contain the spread of the disease and accused Washington of cutting off access to a life support system. Iran
Humanitarian disaster looms over Syria’s Idlib amid COVID-19 surge The coronavirus continues to spread in the opposition-controlled areas of Syria, with daily counts ranging between 300 and 500, and health workers say a health catastrophe is imminent. Syria
Egypt replicates High Dam experience in Tanzania The Egyptian state has begun digging the largest dam in Tanzania to generate hydroelectric power. Egypt
Netanyahu, MBS concur on Iran, but normalization no closer In their briefly secret meeting in Neom, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed on the common threat from Iran, but did not make progress toward normalization. Saudi Arabia
China looks to boost its GCC interests with 'vaccine diplomacy' Eager to lift the lockdowns and limit the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on their economies, several Gulf Cooperation Council states are participating in trials of a vaccine produced in China, which seems to focus on countries that hold strategic interest for Beijing or are part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Gulf
Egyptian rights group's director held in solitary confinement, lawyers say Gasser Abdel-Razek and two of his colleagues were arrested in what experts say is a renewed crackdown on human rights defenders. Egypt
Israel's El Al to begin daily flights to Dubai The news follows Israel's flagship airline signing a cooperation agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. Israel
Saudi Arabia denies secret meeting with Israeli officials during Pompeo visit Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan, said no meeting between Saudi Arabia and Israeli officials took place. Israel
German mission searches Libya-bound Turkish ship, sparking backlash from Ankara German forces intercepted a Libya-bound Turkish ship suspected of carrying arms, sparking the latest row between an EU member state and Ankara ahead of a key summit assessing bilateral ties next month. Turkey
Pompeo visits Saudi crown prince to discuss Iran The US Secretary of State also talked about the war in Yemen with the Saudi crown prince, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with them. Originals
Biden’s new secretary of state ready to take on the Middle East Antony Blinken, President-elect Joe Biden's choice to lead the State Department, has worked alongside Biden for nearly two decades. United States
Israel ventures into space for second time The Ramon Foundation participates in preparing the mission of Israel’s second-ever astronaut Eytan Stibbe — a first nonprofit organization to be partnered with such a mission. Originals
