Iraq increases deficit to pay salaries The Iraqi parliament voted on the funding deficit law so that it can borrow to pay salaries that have been in arrears for more than two months. Iraq
Druze, Circassians not seduced by Netanyahu’s budget A ridiculously small budget of 50 million shekels won’t help Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu win over the Druze and the Circassian communities ahead of possible new elections. Israel
Biden victory breathes life back into Israeli-Palestinian cooperation The Palestinian Authority is resuming cooperation with Israel, meaning the Oslo process may finally be back on track. Palestine
Rockets fall in Baghdad after Pentagon announces Iraq troop reduction One child was killed and at least five other people were injured, the Iraqi military said. Iraq
Iran rolls out rapid test, economic relief as virus continues to spread Iran broke its record for daily cases again on Tuesday. New restrictions will soon come into effect in parts of the country. Iran
Chain of teenage suicides shakes impoverished Iranian town Authorities in the southwestern Khuzestan province have imposed a media blackout after the chain of poverty-prompted suicides involving six schoolchildren. Iran
Palestinian Authority to resume cooperation with Israel A senior Palestinian official said Tuesday that the Israeli-Palestinian relationship will "return to how it was." Israel
Trump asked advisers about options to strike Iran nuclear site The outgoing president's inquiry has raised concerns of a last-minute strike that could ignite a messy conflict. Iran
Pompeo skips Ankara, meets with Christian leader in final Turkey visit In his final visit to Turkey as US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo met with the Orthodox Christian spiritual leader in Istanbul Tuesday, forgoing meetings with state officials in a possible message to conservative American voters. Turkey
Qatar calls UAE and Bahrain's normalization with Israel 'sovereign decision' Qatar's foreign minister also stressed a "united front" of Arab states on the Israel-Palestine issue and discussed Qatar's relations with Israel. Originals
Biden transition, Gulf leaders should start talking about Iran Saudi Arabia and the UAE should reach out to the Biden team now, creating a back channel to promote both Gulf and US security interests in the final months of Trump's presidency. Iran
US to reduce troops in Iraq but not Syria, official says US national security officials say Trump's order to end wars will not halt the Pentagon's counterterror operations abroad. Iraq
Trump's national security adviser says ending Gulf rift 'priority' Qatar has been under a land, sea and air blockade by four regional states since 2017. Qatar
Poverty spikes in Iran as prices for essential goods rise Inflation in Iran continues unabated, forcing further economic pressure and poverty on low-income households. Iran
Israelis try resettling West Bank settlement evacuated in 2005 Families evacuated from the West Bank Sa-Nur settlement in 2005 sneaked back during the night and vowed to resettle the site. Israel
Egypt cracks down on blasphemy in wave of arrests The recent arrests of both Christians and Muslims accused of insulting Islam have renewed calls from rights groups to end prosecution for blasphemy in Egypt. Egypt
