Libya swears in new prime minister of unity government Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has vowed to unify the war-torn country and lambasted the presence of foreign mercenaries. Libya
Why Somalia is important for Egypt in Nile dam crisis Egypt seeks to consolidate relations with Somalia for its important role in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis and to counter Turkish influence in the Horn of Africa. Egypt
Oman bans popular chat app Clubhouse The audio-only phone application is popular throughout the Middle East but could face further restrictions. Oman
Biden leaves Syria on back burner as war marks 10 years In his first months in office, President Joe Biden's team has signaled that Syria’s civil war won’t be among his top foreign policy priorities. Syria
Iran begins phase one of domestic vaccine production Iran says it has begun the first phase of production for a domestic coronavirus vaccine. Iran
Flurry of Sunni Triangle ops sparks questions over Islamic State Several large military operations conducted in Sunni-majority areas of Iraq in recent weeks and mass killings have raised questions over whether a much-debated IS resurgence is actually in the making or whether the roots of the problem lie elsewhere. Iraq
Egypt seeks to block Turkish influence in Chad Egypt is making every effort toward rapprochement with Chad to counterbalance Turkey’s influence in the African continent, especially after the defeat of Cairo’s ally in Libya. Egypt
Egypt, UAE call for rethink of Syria’s expulsion from Arab League Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are calling for Syria to be accepted back into the Arab League as analysts say that its suspension has done little good. United Arab Emirates
Israel, Cyprus, Greece advance underwater power cable project Israeli, Greek and Cypriot energy ministers signed last week an agreement to advance the undersea Euro-Asia Interconnector electricity cable. Israel
Netanyahu: Israel has 'good relations' with Jordan Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keeps insisting that all is fine with Jordan. Israel
On Israel with Ben Caspit Democracy watchdog chief Yohanan Plesner: Don’t take Israel’s democracy for granted Ben Caspit
Israel behind serial sabotage of Iranian tankers, report says Israeli attacks have hit more than a dozen Iranian oil tankers in recent years, The Wall Street Journal reported. Israel
Turkey and Egypt make first diplomatic contact since 2013 The two countries were at odds over the 2013 coup in Egypt that brought Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to power. Egypt
A thaw in Turkey’s relations with Egypt? Gulf Cooperation Council reconciliation may have set in motion Ankara’s desire for a reset with Cairo. Egypt
Israel, Cyprus, Greece conduct naval exercise amid tensions with Turkey France also sent naval assets for the first time since last year's joint exercises. Israel
US restores aid to Houthi-held northern Yemen The announcement comes a year after the Trump administration slashed $73 million in assistance over concerns the Houthis were diverting the aid. Yemen