Turkey won't back down from S-400s despite sanctions, says foreign minister Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara will "take steps" to respond to the US sanctions unveiled this week. Turkey
Erdogan coalition partner calls for outlawing pro-Kurdish party Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahceli said Turkey's Constitution should be changed to ban the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party. Turkey
British Airways stops flights to several Gulf cities The airline will no longer fly to destinations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman in 2021 as global air travel continues to take a hit amid the pandemic. Gulf
Israeli duo looks to recreate Biden-Harris dynamic to pull off win With Knesset member Yifat Shasha-Biton joining him, Likud-rebel Gideon Saar may be presaging a campaign similar to that waged by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Israel
Iran's Christians face renewed fears ahead of Christmas The case of Dabrina Bet Tamraz and her parents highlights a string of crackdowns against Evangelical and Protestant Christians across the country that have forced many to flee. Iran
10 years on, Tunisian emotions mixed in birthplace of Arab Spring Ten years after the first Arab Spring protests erupted in the central Tunisian city of Sidi Bouzid, the locals are still suffering economic hardships amid a lack of government support. Tunisia
Despite sometimes cool relations, Egypt welcomes Morocco’s deal with Israel Regardless of the estrangement over the past years, more rapprochement between Egypt and Morocco is expected during the next stage, after the kingdom joined other Arab countries in normalizing relations with Israel. Egypt
Egypt gearing up for mass COVID-19 immunization Egypt is gearing up to start a mass coronavirus vaccination campaign, after receiving two shipments of about 100,000 doses of a Chinese vaccine. Egypt
Lebanese citizens see no relief as economic downturn worsens Amid plans to lift subsidies and private universities’ decision to raise tuition fees, the Lebanese people continue to suffer under the country’s crumbling economy with no end in sight. Lebanon
The Takeaway: Is Erdogan wooing Biden by antagonizing Iran and Russia? Six signs of possible change in Turkish policies. Turkey
Iran nuclear deal parties discuss salvaging the accord The nuclear deal's remaining signatories met virtually in an effort to preserve the landmark agreement. Iran
US treasury secretary to tour Middle East in final push for Abraham Accords Steven Mnuchin plans to stop in Israel, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan and Qatar. United Arab Emirates
US sanctions companies in UAE, China over Iranian petrochemical sales A slew of new sanctions in Trump administration's final weeks could complicate Biden's pledge to rejoin the Iranian nuclear agreement. Iran
Iran’s Khamenei vows ‘definite’ revenge for US killing of Soleimani Iran’s supreme leader said revenge for the killing of Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani is a definite plan, as he called on regional nations to push for the ouster of US forces. United States
Lebanese activist sentenced to prison for collaborating with Israel Kinda El-Khatib, a critic of Hezbollah on social media, was sentenced to three years in prison by a military court. Lebanon
Washington on the spot as its Syrian Kurd allies are drawn into PKK-KDP fight Reported border clash worsens conflict between Kurdish factions in triangle where US, Turkish and Syrian and Iraqi Kurdish forces come into play. Syria
