UN: 800 people returned to Libya while crossing Mediterranean 2020 was a deadly year for people fleeing Libya for Europe, according to data from the UN's International Organization for Migration. By Al-Monitor Staff
Libyan delegates choose interim government in UN-led process Abdulhamid Dbeibeh will serve as prime minister and Mohammed al-Menfi as the head of the presidential council. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel still cool to gestures from Turkey In a positive, yet cautious signal, Israel has nominated senior diplomat ambassador Irit Lillian as charge d’Affairs to its embassy in Ankara. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Updated: US disputes UN report on capture of Al-Qaeda’s top man in Yemen The report said Khalid Batarfi was handed over to Saudi authorities, yet a US officials says he's still at large. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Saudis praise Biden after president draws line on Yemen, arms deals During a speech promising to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with allies, Biden announced the end of US support for Saudi-led operations in Yemen. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi Arabia temporarily releases two US-Saudi political prisoners Dual citizens Salah al-Haidar and Bader al-Ibrahim still face trial on terror-related charges. By Al-Monitor Staff
Netanyahu manipulates parties on left, right By encouraging a coalition of Israel's far right parties and by pushing for splits within the Arab Joint List, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has increased his chances of winning the March 23 elections. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Iraqi border crossings better protected as cells attempt desert attacks The prime minister’s decision to send military reinforcements to Iraq's border ports last year seems to have made officials feel safer and reduced revenue-siphoning corruption. By Shelly Kittleson
US may help keep GCC reconciliation on track It is unclear how firm or shaky the ground is for Gulf Cooperation Council nations' reconciliation with Qatar, but they may be on more or less good behavior to start off as well as possible with the Biden administration. By Mary Beth Long, Emily Przyborowski
Egypt, Greece conduct naval drills amid EastMed tensions Egypt and Greece carried out military exercises in the Northern Fleet in the Mediterranean to counter potential threats on their maritime borders amid tensions with Turkey. By Alaa Omran
HTS leader shocks popular base after interview with Western journalist Whenever Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani makes a media appearance, it causes a commotion among Syrian activists and analysts, the most controversial of which is his recent appearance in a suit. By Sultan al-Kanj
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). By Ahmed Gomaa
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. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Al-Monitor Staff