Israeli female ministers introduce reforms, shake up agenda With nine female ministers, the government of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett includes the highest number ever of women in an Israeli Cabinet. Israel
International momentum dwindles over Nile dam dispute Ethiopia has accused Egypt and Sudan of supporting rebels attempting to sabotage the construction of the contested Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in the latest escalation between the three countries. Egypt
Israel’s president takes lead on ties with Jordan, Palestinians President Isaac Herzog has been busy these past few days on the Arab and Palestinian fronts, secretly visiting Jordan and speaking on the phone first with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and then with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel
Chinese-operated port opens in Israel despite American concerns The Biden administration is relaying to Jerusalem the same fears expressed by former US administrations over Chinese investments in Israel. Israel
Controversial Egyptian slum removal mars Giza Plateau upgrade The Nazlet al-Saman slum blemished the Giza Plateau for many decades, but its ongoing removal is bringing criticism of the government. Egypt
Jailbreak from Israeli prison shakes up Palestinian public The escape of six Palestinians from a maximum security Israeli prison jolted observers. Palestine
Egypt, Turkey agree to future talks, though issues remain The two countries have been working to repair their long-strained relations throughout 2021. News Brief
Saudi Arabia says it welcomes Biden's order to release 9/11 files The Saudi Embassy in Washington said it hoped the documents' declassification would put an end to the "baseless allegations against the kingdom." Saudi Arabia
The Takeaway: Iran nuclear diplomacy creeps forward in Moscow and Paris Also: Taliban’s success inspires Syrian jihadis; Russia’s delicate diplomacy in Syria and Turkey; Nile dam parley peters out; IDF snared in political rift; Egypt’s Avenue of the Sphinxes; and more … in only about 1,500 words. Iran
Trial begins for 20 linked to Islamic State terror attacks in Paris The main defendant in the case, Salah Abdeslam, told the court on Wednesday that he was a "soldier" of the Islamic State. News Brief
Syrian forces enter war-torn Daraa, opposition alleges rights abuses The Syrian government and rebel groups recently reached a cease-fire deal in the southern city that played a large role in the 2011 uprising. News Brief
Houthis under fire for arresting wedding singer in Yemeni capital There are calls in Sanaa to form a union to defend the rights of singers, amid ongoing abuses and arrests targeting them by the Houthi rebel authorities. Gulf
After Afghanistan pullout, US pursues long-distance diplomacy from Qatar Without a diplomatic presence on the ground in Kabul, the United States will engage with the Taliban from a remote mission in Doha. Qatar
Turkey’s powerful top cleric called to tone down or resign Ever since he delivered the first sermon at the opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque in July 2020 with a sword in hand, Ali Erbas has been on a meteoric rise of visibility. Turkey
Syrian Kurdish parties feel abandoned by US in wake of Turkish-backed attack Turkey stepped up its attacks against Kurds in Syria, which raised concerns among the Kurdish forces over the US and Russian roles. Syria
Iraqi PM vows to fix Kirkuk security issues after gruesome Islamic State attack Following an Islamic State attack in which over a dozen Iraqi policemen were killed, the prime minister criticized military leaders’ “shortcomings” and pledged to address the issue. Meanwhile, counterterrorism operations continue in the same disputed province to prevent further attacks. Iraq
