Syrian government, Kurdish forces end dispute in Qamishli The clashes between the Syrian government-affiliated forces and Kurdish security forces ended in Syria's northeast city of Qamishli after reaching an agreement between the two parties under Russian auspices. Syria
Low efficacy rates mar China’s COVID diplomacy in Gulf states After a top Chinese health official acknowledged that the Chinese-produced vaccines have lower efficacy rates, will Gulf states using the product turn to other providers? Gulf
Palestinian president decides — on his own — to postpone elections The rationale was that Israel refused to allow residents of East Jerusalem to participate. Palestine
Blinken meets Israel’s Mossad chief to talk Iran The meeting follows talks earlier this week involving Israeli officials and US national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Israel
French FM says some Lebanese politicians banned from France over failure to form government Lebanon has been without a Cabinet since last year, and France does not want to provide the country much-needed aid until economic reforms are implemented. News Brief
Iran leaked tape scandal claims its first victim One of the most powerful members of President Hassan Rouhani's inner circle has stepped down as the repercussions of a leaked audio file containing controversial statements by Iran's foreign minister continue to shake the country's political scene. Iran
Iran’s Zarif backs cease-fire in meeting with Yemen’s Houthis Saudi Arabia and Iran held talks in Baghdad earlier this month to de-escalate tensions. Iran
Iraqi, Syrian oil ministers discuss gas imports The Iraqi and Syrian oil ministers talked about the possibility of transporting Egyptian gas to Iraq through Syria during a meeting in Baghdad. News Brief
Reeling from COVID-19 slump, Turkey's demographic challenges loom large As part of his nationalistic agenda, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been encouraging families to have at least three children, but soaring brain drain and falling birth rates stand as major predicaments in front of his ambitions. Turkey
Israel reopens Gaza fishing zone closed over rocket fire Israel shut civilian access to the fishing zone after several nights of rocket attacks. News Brief
Biden's USAID nominee confirmed by Senate Samantha Power is one of several Obama era officials serving in the Biden administration. She said delivering aid to Libya and Yemen would be among her priorities at the foreign aid agency. News Brief
Northeast Syria's pandemic response in jeopardy as cases rise, charity warns Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, the region's hospitals are grappling with a major shortage of oxygen and testing supplies. Syria
Cyprus unification talks falter as Turkey clings to two-state idea Talks to reunite Cyprus have again failed to unblock a four-year pause in negotiations over the future of the Eastern Mediterranean island. Turkey
First woman to head Knesset defense committee Orna Barbivai, a retired major general, is taking over one of the most enviable positions in Israel's male-dominated security establishment: head of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. Israel
Hamas braces for delay of Palestinian elections Hamas is considering its next moves ahead of the expected announcement of the postponement of the Palestinian legislative elections. Palestine
Sparks from Jerusalem rain on Gaza's tinderbox The situation on the Israel-Gaza border is escalating with a barrage of rockets and mortar shells from Gaza and Israeli strikes on Hamas military positions. Palestine
