Qatar, Gulf states ink 'solidarity and stability' deal in Saudi Arabia The agreement was struck a day after Saudi Arabia agreed to reopen its air, land and sea borders to rival Qatar. Saudi Arabia
Israel, Greece advance major defense deal Israel and Greece will soon sign a $1.68 billion agreement for the purchase of Israeli jets and the opening of a military flight school operated by an Israeli company. Israel
Israel in bind over Iran resuming uranium enrichment With the Iranians now resuming uranium enrichment, Jerusalem prepares itself for the Biden administration resuming nuclear talks with Tehran. Israel
Egypt, Ethiopia escalate war of words over stalled Nile dam talks Ethiopia is accusing Egypt of deliberate hostility amid stalled negotiations on the controversial dam and tension between Addis Ababa and Khartoum. Egypt
Houthis, Hamas merge diplomacy around prisoner releases Hamas welcomes a Houthi initiative to release two Saudi airmen the Houthis captured in Yemen in exchange for Saudi Arabia freeing 60 Palestinian prisoners, including a Hamas leader and his son. Saudi Arabia
Settlers launch hunger strike, call on Netanyahu to legalize West Bank outposts The Young Settlements Forum launched Jan. 4 a hunger strike, calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to abandon his rapprochement with the Arab public and advance instead the legalizing of 70 wildcat outposts in the West Bank. Israel
IS cells escalate attacks on civilians, regime soldiers in eastern Syria Despite the elimination of the Islamic State from its last official territory in Syria in March 2019, IS cells that have been holed up in desert areas in eastern and central Syria remain active and terrorize civilians and soldiers alike. Syria
Egypt's former MPs coming back to political stage with big dreams A group of former parliament members is reorganizing within Egypt’s opposition parties, but it remains unclear whether their efforts can threaten Sisi's grip on power, given the popularity of the Egyptian president and the very thin margin left for the political parties to communicate with the public. Egypt
Iraqis protest on anniversary of Qasem Soleimani's death Iranian officials pledged to avenge the commander's killing by the United States, but there were no military conflicts on the one-year anniversary. Iraq
Saudi Arabia agrees to open airspace, border to Qatar The agreement, announced by Kuwait, could spell an end to the diplomatic crisis between the two Gulf states that began in 2017. Originals
Lebanon to enter new national lockdown Thursday An overnight curfew and other restrictions will run through Feb. 1. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia resumes international flights, reopens borders The kingdom closed its borders in December due to the new COVID-19 variant in the United Kingdom. Some restrictions for travelers from the UK remain in place. Originals
Israeli prosecutors file updated indictment in Netanyahu corruption case In an updated document, the many demands for favorable media coverage Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his family are accused of making are broken down by asker. Israel
Iran ramps up uranium enrichment, seizes tanker Amid a financial dispute with South Korea, Iran has seized a South Korean-flagged tanker in the Persian Gulf, while on the same day announcing the resumption of enriching uranium to 20%. United States
Israel hoping for last-minute F-35s from Trump administration Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said additional F-15 purchases may follow the procurement of a third F-35 squadron. Israel
Students protest appointment of Erdogan loyalist to head top Turkish university Students and faculty members decried infringements on academic independence during protests Monday after a member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was appointed by presidential decree to head one of the nation’s top universities. Turkey
