US approves Iranian funds transfer to buy COVID vaccines, says Iran central bank chief Iranian officials have argued US sanctions have hampered their ability to make payments for overseas vaccines. Iran
Iran to receive 150,000 Pfizer vaccines Amid a controversy over Iran's ability to purchase the coronavirus vaccine, Tehran is set to receive 150,000 doses from US donors. Iran
Erdogan hails 'new phase' in Turkey-UK ties with trade agreement Turkey and the United Kingdom's increasing discord with the European Union make them natural partners. Turkey
Nasrallah says Hezbollah would not be part of Iran nuclear talks The Shiite party's leader also said Hezbollah has doubled its missile supplies. Saudi Arabia
Yemen’s president orders unity government to Aden after swearing-in in Saudi Arabia The power-sharing agreement comes as Yemen's Houthi rebels have already largely seized control of the country's north Saudi Arabia
Moroccan officials arrive in Israel to reopen liaison office An administrative Moroccan delegation arrived in Israel to reopen the liaison office following normalization of ties between the two countries. Israel
Israel leads in vaccinations Israel's vaccination drive is in high gear, operating seven days a week, 24 hours per day, including on the Sabbath. Israel
Iraq devalues dinar to boost economy, factory production The Central Bank of Iraq cuts the value of the dinar against the dollar in the context of policies to address Iraq's economic crisis. Iraq
Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian S-400s despite US sanctions Voices are growing louder in Turkey questioning why these systems were ever purchased, considering the headaches they have caused for Ankara. Turkey
Egypt looks to protect investments at risk by Ethiopian civil war Egypt is seeking to appoint an international law firm to protect investments in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Egypt
UAE helps Gaza resume COVID-19 testing as normalization dust settles The UAE sent a medical aid convoy to the Gaza Strip as the COVID-19 pandemic worsens, in the first such shipment since normalizing ties with Israel. United Arab Emirates
Turkey weighs attack on Syrian Kurdish town Turkey has mobilized more forces in the vicinity of the town of Ain Issa in northern Syria, while the Free Syrian Army, an ally of Ankara, intensified its presence in that area amid an agreement between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Russia to ward off Turkey and its allies from the town. Syria
Acquittal in assault of Christian woman casts pall over Christmas for Egypt's Coptic community The acquittal by a Minya court of three defendants who in May 2016 stripped an elderly Christian woman naked and dragged her through the streets of her village has provoked outrage among Christians and rights groups. Egypt
Israeli right, Arabs fume over talks between Netanyahu, Joint List senior Members of the Joint List are angry over what seems to be rapprochement, perhaps even a political deal, between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Knesset member Mansour Abbas. Israel
As new elections loom, Israel’s Supreme Court deliberates Nationality Law On the backdrop of announced fourth elections, right-wing circles see the hearing last week on the controversial Nationality Law as evidence that the Supreme Court leans toward the left. Israel
Gulf oil exporters cautiously optimistic for 2021 A new COVID-19 strain and the possible return of Iranian crude to global markets could inflict “short-term pains” to Gulf oil producers whose local populations hold on to the oil era. Gulf
