'Seeds of progress' in ending Gulf row with Qatar, UAE envoy says UAE Ambassador to the United States Yousef al-Otaiba signaled the Gulf parties are getting closer to an agreement. United Arab Emirates
Emirati, Israeli officials upbeat about Biden Administration The director general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Alon Ushpiz, and the UAE’s assistant minister for culture and public diplomacy, Omar Ghobash, discussed the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace, Iran, and combating bigotry in the region and more at an Al-Monitor event. United Arab Emirates
Iran’s Rouhani suggests nuclear deal’s fate is in Biden’s hands President Hassan Rouhani said Iran will resume full compliance with the nuclear deal as soon as his incoming American counterpart uses his signature to rejoin the same accord. U.S.
Iran makes arrests in nuclear scientist's killing, official says Iranian parliamentary adviser Hossein Amir Abdollahian said some of the "perpetrators" had been identified and arrested. Israel
Iraqi government presses ahead with early elections next year The Iraqi government is striving to make the legal and political preparations for elections in June 2021, amid multiple political and security challenges. Iraq
Turkey chooses pro-Erdogan ambassador to Israel in bid to normalize ties There has been no ambassador in either country since May 2018, when Ankara withdrew its envoy over escalating attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and Washington's decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem. Israel
Netanyahu’s main rival in Likud quits party, views premiership Former minister Gideon Saar takes a huge political risk by announcing he is quitting the Likud and forming a new right-wing movement. Israel
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
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman Israeli scholar Micky Aharonson breaks down Putin’s strategy in Israel, Iran and Syria
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