West Bank, Gaza record highest ever daily virus toll The UN recently warned that parts of the Palestinian territories are not prepared to cope with a major outbreak of COVID-19. Palestine
Pompeo visits Christian Zionist museum on Israel trip The US secretary of state added to his farewell tour a museum founded by Mike Evans, an evangelical adviser to President Donald Trump. Israel
Top Netflix drama lays open Turkish divides The Turkish Netflix series Ethos has been both praised for bridging the divide between Turkey’s feuding segments and disparaged for enforcing them with cliches. Turkey
US-Turkey ties under Biden: confrontation or conciliation? The Biden era in Washington is looming as a tough test for Ankara, whose moves will largely determine how the scarred US-Turkish relationship develops. Turkey
Caught between a rock and a hard place, Erdogan seeks a way out Ankara has to improve Turkey’s international image with major reforms in order to attract much-needed foreign capital but the jury is out on whether President Erdogan can do it. Turkey
Trump-Heights settlement in Golan here to stay Several Israeli families are preparing to move in to the Trump Heights settlement village in the Golan Heights. Palestine
Hamas seeks to lock in Qatar aid while exchanging border fire with Israel As Israel fails to fulfil its part of the truce understandings and in light of Qatar's alleged refusal to increase and renew its financial grant to the Gaza Strip, tensions have resumed between Israel and Hamas. Palestine
Egypt, Sudan conduct joint military drills Egypt and Sudan carry out joint military training, further deepening their military ties, amid the faltering negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Pompeo’s visit to Psagot settlement, a farewell gift from Trump to Israel US Secretary of State Pompeo's visit to the Psagot settlement, built on occupied land in the West Bank, reflects the Donald Trump administration’s decision to consider the Israeli settlements in the West Bank to be legal. Palestine
Egypt accuses Qatar of undermining peace talks via support for Libyan government Qatar has signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based Libyan government to build and train military forces in what some see as an attempt to undermine the current progress toward a political solution in Libya. Qatar
Why refugees won’t return to Syria Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s call on Syrian refugees to return to the homeland has sparked many reactions, as some still fear returning to cities and towns occupied by Iranian forces accused of violations and abuses against the locals. Syria
Palestinians trying to dig themselves out of isolation It seems Palestinians are trying to get out of international and Arab isolation by taking a series of measures, including restoring ties with Israel and returning their ambassadors to the UAE and Bahrain, in anticipation of the Joe Biden administration’s arrival into office. Palestine
In last days of Trump administration, Pompeo showers gifts on Israel Visiting Israel before the end of the administration he serves, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's grandiose gestures and warm reception were clearly the last hurrah of a relationship with a time limit. Israel
Islamic State claims sabotage attack on Egypt’s gas pipeline to Israel Egypt's military said it was a "limited explosion." Egypt
Saudi Arabia’s dire rights record looms over G-20 summit Riyadh’s hosting of the annual summit has drawn criticism from a broad coalition of human rights groups. Saudi Arabia
WHO says lack of masks, distancing contributing to virus spread in Middle East The WHO's regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean also said the number of infections in the area could be higher than reported. Regional
