Despite Egyptian campaign, Gaza border tunnels resume smuggling activity Despite the largely successful security campaign launched by Egypt in February 2013 against the Palestinian border tunnels in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, there are reportedly Palestinian attempts to bring back some of the destroyed tunnels to life. Palestine
How Israeli hurdle in Palestinian elections may benefit Abbas Israel dragging its feet on allowing Palestinians in east Jerusalem to vote could be just the excuse President Mahmoud Abbas needs to postpone the elections and stop Hamas' likely progress. Israel
Israeli company sells shares in natural gas field to Emirati group In a demonstration of the economic dividends of the Abraham Accords, Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Petroleum is buying Israeli Delek Drilling’s shares in the Tamar natural gas field. Israel
Turkey to enter full lockdown after virus surge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced new restrictions beginning on Thursday, which include the in-person closure of all schools and most businesses. News Brief
'A climate of fear': eastern Libya's military courts convicted hundreds in sham trials, Amnesty International says Former detainees told the rights group they were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment while in pre-trial detention. Libya
Kurdish media: situation in Qamishli calmer following clashes with Syrian government There was more fighting between the Kurdish Asayish and pro-government National Defense Forces in the northeast Syrian city last night. News Brief
Turkey orders arrests of 532 suspected of Gulen links The widespread operation targeted alleged followers of the Pennsylvania-based preacher blamed for the 2016 attempted coup. News Brief
Key Sunni politician’s arrest for corruption raises questions The arrest of a prominent Sunni party chief shortly after relations between him and the parliament speaker soured has led some to claim political motives are playing a role in the government’s anti-corruption efforts. By Shelly Kittleson In Baghdad, reporting on Iraqi politics
Turkey to begin making Russia's Sputnik V vaccine The Russian COVID-19 vaccine would add an alternative in Turkey to the Chinese version currently in use. News Brief
Biden's recognition of Armenian genocide exposes Erdogan's weakness President Biden’s recognition of the 1915 Armenian genocide exposed Erdogan’s weakness and the dramatic shift in Turkey’s geopolitical value in the United States' strategic outlook. Turkey
Turkey’s ambitious drone carrier project dogged by uncertainties Keen on becoming a major sea power in the region, Turkey plans to convert an amphibious assault ship into a drone carrier, a project that raises operational and technical challenges for the Turkish navy. Turkey
UAE condemns 'right-wing extremist groups' for violence in Jerusalem The Emirati statement referred only to Jewish groups in "occupied" east Jerusalem in a relatively rare public criticism of its new Israeli ally. News Brief
Iran sentences British-Iranian aid worker to another year in jail Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe had just competed her five-year sentence when she was summoned to court on a new propaganda charge. Iran
Tunisian film nominated for country's first Oscar "The Man Who Sold His Skin" was nominated for best foreign film at the Academy Awards, the first-ever nomination for Tunisia. News Brief
Turkey vows response to Biden's decision to recognize Armenian genocide Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin did not provide details on a reaction, but he said it will be "of different forms, kinds and degrees." Turkey
Leaked recording of Iran's foreign minister stirs debate The recording of Iran’s foreign minister has led to speculation as to motivations and meanings. Iran
