Alarm in Iran as pandemic numbers shoot back up Iranian officials are talking about a fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic with infections more than doubling since last week and hospitals in Tehran near capacity. Iran
Netanyahu pledges to end Israel's election paralysis After receiving the mandate to compose the next government and after the swearing in of the 24th Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will form a government of action. Israel
More Lebanese doctors leave for Iraq As Lebanon is sinking deeper into an unprecedented financial and political crisis, many medical doctors are increasingly packing their bags and leaving for the Gulf or Europe, and more recently for Iraq. Iraq
Palestinian shot dead by IDF in checkpoint incident The Israeli military and the Palestinian Authority reported the incident differently, as is often the case. News Brief
US aircraft carrier returns to Middle East as Suez Canal opens The USS Eisenhower arrives in the Gulf region as the Biden administration kicks off indirect talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Iran
Iraqi Kurdistan reinstates travel ban Daily coronavirus cases are approaching historical highs in the autonomous part of northern Iraq as vaccination efforts proceed at a crawl. News Brief
Palestinian, international observers weigh Biden approach to Palestinian conflict Although the Biden administration promised to reverse many of the previous US decisions, Palestinians-US relations are moving forward at a very slow pace. Palestine
As coalition talks take shape, Netanyahu preps Plan B Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to compose a majority-backed government, but he's also preparing to fight as leader of the opposition. Israel
Trendy restaurants pop up in Syria’s Aleppo Restaurants are opening at a high speed in opposition-held areas in the Aleppo countryside, making it tempting for capital owners to invest in this relatively safe service sector. Culture & Society
Egypt criticizes plan to integrate militias into Libyan army Egypt has raised concerns about a Libyan plan to integrate militias into its military establishment after unification, arguing that doing so could undermine security and stability in both countries. Egypt
Drama in Israel: Netanyahu tasked with composing next government New Hope leader Gideon Saar decided not to recommend a candidate for composing the next government, thus opening the way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the first crack at the mission. Israel
Arab-Israeli parties recommend no one to assemble next government Contrary to last year, neither the Arab Joint List nor Mansour Abbas' Raam party recommended to the president any candidate for the formation of the next government. Israel
The lost Jewish surnames of Cairo An extensive list of the surnames of the Jewish families who lived in Cairo has been published, helping tell stories across generations. Egypt
Iranian intelligence arrests alleged Israeli spy A man was executed last year for allegedly spying on Iranian forces for Israel and the United States. News Brief
Post-COVID Saudi Arabia doubles down on Vision 2030 Although foreign investors mostly took a pass on Vision 2030, Saudi companies and the Public Investment Fund will pour money into a $3.2 trillion reform plan. Gulf
Turkey detains 10 retired admirals after statement triggers coup scare A group of retired Turkish navy admirals are under investigation after penning a letter on a Bosporus Strait treaty government officials claim is “reminiscent of coup times.” Turkey
