Syrian opposition split on timing of Assad military offensive An anticipated military operation by the regime and its allies in the city of al-Bab has stirred controversy among the opposition ranks. Syria
What can Turkey expect from Qatari-Gulf deal? Turkey feels vindicated as al-Ula Declaration ends the blockade against Qatar. Turkey
Jordan bets on GCC deal to boost economy Jordan has attempted to remain neutral in the Gulf feud that erupted in 2017 when a Saudi-led bloc of nations cut diplomatic ties with Qatar. The kingdom has welcomed the agreement recently signed to end the Gulf dispute. Jordan
Is Al-Qaeda affiliate expanding attacks beyond Syrian town of Idlib? Hurras al-Din, affiliated with al-Qaeda in Syria, claimed responsibility for an attack against a Russian base in northern Raqqa and pledged to expand operations outside its areas of deployment in Idlib. Syria
Egypt seeks to bypass Turkish presence in Senegal In an attempt to counter Turkey’s expansion in West Africa, Egypt and the UAE seek to consolidate their ties with Senegal, the gateway to West Africa, by pushing forward new investments in the African country. Egypt
Coronavirus crisis propels Israeli mayors to front stage With the government in a perpetual state of crisis, the coronavirus pandemic propelled Israeli mayors to a position of unprecedented prominence. Israel
Ethiopia’s worsening crisis threatens regional, Mideast security With the Horn of Africa increasingly becoming an integral part of the Middle East’s security landscape, the fallout from Ethiopia's current crisis will have a significant impact on states of the region. Egypt
Israel tightens lockdown measures Israel added more restrictions on top of its lockdown as coronavirus cases continue to spread rapidly. On the other hand, Israel is successfully rolling out the vaccine. Israel
Pentagon’s top policy official meets Saudi Arabia’s deputy defense minister in Riyadh Anthony Tata sat down with Prince Khalid bin Salman on Thursday, but details of the discussion remain unclear. Saudi Arabia
Hamas scrambles for relevance in post-normalization Middle East Egypt urges Palestinian reconciliation in midst of diplomatic surge, as Hamas keeps options open with Iran and Syria. Gulf
Iran approves 3-day release for jailed lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Nasrin Sotoudeh is serving a decadeslong prison sentence on charges related to her work as a human rights defender. Iran
US sanctions Iraq's PMU chair Falih al-Fayadh Fayadh chaired Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units as the forces killed hundreds of unarmed pro-democracy protesters. Iraq
UAE reopens land, sea, air ports to Qatar following Gulf deal The announcement comes after Gulf leaders this week agreed to end their years-long embargo of Qatar. Saudi Arabia
Israel, UAE top Middle East vaccination rates Other countries in the region have only just recently imported vaccines, and the status of vaccination in Iran and Syria in particular is unclear. Gulf
Tehran reveals underground missile base near Persian Gulf Iran has announced it built a new subterranean missile base as tension between Washington and Tehran escalates. U.S.
Iran's supreme leader bans vaccines made in US, UK Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he had "no confidence" in the American or British-made vaccinations. Iran