Israeli, Jordanian foreign ministers meet, with plenty of issues on their agenda Israel's normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and Israel’s apparent rapprochement with Saudi Arabia worry Jordan, especially when it comes to its special custodian status in Jerusalem. Israel
How realistic are Turkey’s ambitions over strategic corridor with Azerbaijan Turkey is pinning high economic hopes on a transport link that would connect it to Azerbaijan and beyond, but Russia and Iran have caveats and the viability of Turkey’s projects are open to question. Turkey
Shiite factions close to Sistani move to separate from Iran-backed militias Brigades close to top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani announced the formation of a mobilization force affiliated with the chief of staff of the Iraqi armed forces, rather than Iran. Iraq
Egypt, Saudi Arabia accuse Qatar of undermining Gulf security As Saudi Arabia seeks to thaw relations with Qatar, it called for a meeting with Egyptian officials, during which the two countries condemned Qatar’s interception of two Bahraini coastguard vessels in the Arabian Sea. Egypt
Egypt’s first hearing impaired flight attendants work flight to Khartoum Two Egyptian women have become the Middle East's first hearing impaired flight attendants thanks to an initiative called Humanitarian Flights. Egypt
Inside Mar Saba Monastery in the West Bank Mar Saba Monastery near Bethlehem attracts thousands of tourists each year, all the while facing constant attacks by Israeli settlers. Palestine
Israel worries that Biden will re-adopt Obama’s Iran policy The most important thing now for Israel’s security agencies is for the Biden administration to dialogue with them and include them over its future Iran policy. Israel
After years of waiting, Ethiopian Jews arrive to Israel One hundred Ethiopian Jews are set to arrive to Israel today, as part of Operation Rock of Israel that was launched yesterday, to bring home 2,000 members of the community. Israel
Trump administration imposes new sanctions on Iranian company The administration is continuing to add sanctions on Iranian entities ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's taking office. Biden could remove some of the sanctions. United States
Iranian-Swedish scientist's execution on hold for 'next few days' Amnesty International said Ahmadreza Djalali's execution has been halted for now, but his fate is unclear. The rights group, Sweden and the UN are protesting Iran's treatment of him. Iran
Tunisian activists struggle to rein in police power Tunisians eager for justice and reform are fighting another bill to increase the powers of the country's already virtually untouchable police force. Tunisia
Egypt releases human rights workers after international outcry Gasser Abdel-Razek, Mohamed Basheer and Karim Ennarah left Tora Prison on Thursday, their organization confirmed. Egypt
OPEC and Russia agree to boost production in 2021 The agreement follows recent increases in global oil prices. The COVID-19 pandemic has hurt oil markets and, subsequently, the economies of several Middle Eastern states. Originals
Bahraini minister comments on Israeli settlements products label controversy Commerce Minister Zayed bin Rashid al-Zayani said Bahrain "has no issue with labeling or origin" of Israeli products during a visit to Israel, which angered Palestinian officials. Bahrain
Hunger crisis in Yemen should be a ‘wake up call,’ UN warns The number of Yemenis experiencing “catastrophic food insecurity” could triple by the end of June 2021. Yemen
Turkish inflation creeps higher as Central Bank pressed to act Turkey’s annual inflation hit 14.03% in November, well above forecasts, raising pressure on the nation’s new Central Bank governor to impose tight monetary policies. Turkey
