Egypt looks to Congo for breakthrough on Nile Dam talks Egypt is hoping the Democratic Republic of Congo, as chair of the African Union, will contribute to solving the long-standing dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Egypt
Netanyahu still waiting for Biden’s phone call The fact that US President Joe Biden is taking his time in calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the fact that he did not refer to Israel or to the Iranian threat in his first foreign policy speech, deeply worries Jerusalem. Israel
Congress votes to make US Embassy move to Jerusalem permanent The measure, an amendment to the COVID-19 relief bill, passed the Senate easily on Thursday night. Israel
Macron advocates Saudi, Israeli inclusion in Iran nuclear talks The United States says it will present a "unified front" with Europe on Iran strategy once consultations with allies conclude. Saudi Arabia
Israel's Netanyahu postpones trip to UAE and Bahrain amid virus surge The prime minister cited Israel's suspension of flights for pushing back the historic trip to the Gulf. United Arab Emirates
Iranian diplomat sentenced to prison for bomb plot on Iranian opposition group The Iranian government strongly condemned the trial. The bomb plot targeted the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran. Iran
Biden's UN pick passes through Senate Foreign Relations Committee The top Democrat on the committee said he trusts Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Iran and Israel, but his Republican counterparts were more critical. Originals
Turkey’s talk of peace with Armenia rings hollow A Turkey analyst reported that Turkey claims to be ready to reconcile with Armenia if Yerevan is willing to "take a step," but is that likely? Turkey
Islamic State officials behind Baghdad bombing killed, prime minister says The strike follows the killing of IS' top official for Iraq near Kirkuk last week. Iraq
Russian Sputnik V first vaccine to arrive in Iran Iran has officially received its first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine from Russia. Iran
Biden to end US support for offensive operations in Yemen President Joe Biden also appointed a special envoy for the war-wrecked country. Yemen
Lebanese activist and Hezbollah critic Lukman Slim shot dead Slim was shot while visiting southern Lebanon. The government has vowed an investigation amid speculation on Hezbollah's alleged involvement. Lebanon
Iraq mourns the first set of remains of Yazidi genocide victims More than six years after the massacre, before their burial in Sinjar on Feb. 4, Iraqis held a funeral for Yazidis who were murdered en masse by the Islamic State in 2014. Iraq
Four Tunisian soldiers killed during patrol near Algeria border Tunisia's mountainous area is a hotbed of Islamist insurgent activity. Originals
How Turkey fits in regime-Kurdish showdown in Syria Some claim that a secret deal between Ankara and Damascus is behind the latest escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurds, but the situation could be more complex than it seems. Syria
US citizen’s torture suit to test Egypt relations under Biden The Joe Biden administration may take a position on the immunity of Egypt’s former prime minister in a lawsuit brought by an American human rights activist. Egypt
