Egyptian dancers call for protecting belly dance Several belly dancers in Egypt are leading a campaign to preserve their traditional dance from whom they describe as intruders that have sexualized the dance performance. Egypt
Transgender Egyptians face abuse, discrimination for asserting their identity Farida Ramadan is struggling to earn a living and lead a normal life, which speaks volumes of the challenges facing transgender Egyptians. Originals
For Palestine’s negotiations strategy to work, Gulf must be united Reports about an end of the nearly four-year Gulf crisis pitting a Saudi-led bloc of nations against Qatar is a good omen for the Palestinians, who are seeking to restart the stalled Israeli-Palestinian negotiation process. Palestine
Behind the scenes of Egypt’s project to face-lift Khedivial Cairo The Egyptian state has started unifying the facades of buildings and shops in the downtown area of Khedivial Cairo. Egypt
Egypt mobilizes Gulf, Arab support to end Syrian crisis Egypt appears to be leading Arab efforts to bring Damascus back to the Arab League and find a political solution to the Syrian crisis, in a bid to confront Turkey’s military ambitions in Syria. Egypt
Saudi court hands Saudi-American doctor Walid al-Fitaihi 6-year sentence The Harvard-trained doctor is reported to have been sentenced over tweeting his support for the 2011 Arab Spring protests and for obtaining US citizenship. Saudi Arabia
Egyptian forces kill, arrest Islamist fighters in Sinai There have been several escalations between Egyptian forces and Islamist groups on the peninsula recently. Egypt
Israel ‘very comfortable’ with $23B UAE arms sale, says ambassador Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer said the sale won't undermine Israel's military advantage in the Middle East. Israel
Mizrahi Israelis hope normalization with Gulf will bring regional peace For Israelis of Mizrahi origin, normalization with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain has great significance; it reconnects them to the Arab world, with its history and heritage. Israel
Uzbekistan repatriates women and children linked to Islamic State in Syria The 98 people were in camps for Islamic State fighters and their families in Kurdish-run northeast Syria. Some other countries have also brought their citizens home from IS camps there, while others have refused. Syria
Biden's CENTCOM pick to head Pentagon raises concern over civilian leadership Gen. Lloyd Austin has emerged as the president-elect's likely pick over former Pentagon policy chief Michele Flournoy. United States
Racist fans of Jerusalem soccer club become target of mockery Social media users are mocking La Familia fan club, notorious for its racism, over the deal signed yesterday for an Emirati sheikh to invest in the Beitar Jerusalem soccer club. Israel
Eastern Libyan forces intercept Turkish ship en route to Misrata Forces loyal to eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter intercepted a Jamaican-flagged Turkish ship in the Mediterranean Sea late Monday in a move that could escalate regional tensions. Turkey
Iran accuses US of blocking coronavirus vaccine purchases Iranian officials said US sanctions have impeded their attempts to secure the purchase of coronavirus vaccines for their country, which remains the hardest-hit in the Middle East. Iran
Most Israelis have negative view of both Netanyahu, Gantz The Israel Democracy Institute's data also showed some support among Palestinian citizens of Israel for political cooperation with the prime minister ahead of possible elections. Originals
Iraq’s president urges end to violence in protest-hit Sulaimaniyah Iraqi President Barham Salih weighed in on the increasingly violent protests that have gripped the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Iraq
