Jordan to reopen border crossing with Syria Jordan closed the Jaber border crossing in August due to security concerns amid fighting in southern Syria. Jordan originally supported the Syrian opposition in the civil war but has moved closer to the government recently. News Brief
Israel hails declaration by Iraqi group in favor of normalization Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid both welcomed calls by some 300 Iraqis in favor of normalizing ties between Jerusalem and Baghdad. Israel
Top generals step down in ominous sign for Turkish military in Syria Top generals in charge of Turkey’s military operations in Syria have sought retirement amid escalating tensions in Idlib, fueling questions over Ankara’s Syria policies. Turkey
Two dead after fire at Iranian military facility The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps did not say what caused the fire. News Brief
Lapid's rhetoric divides Israel Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has abandoned his aspirations for leading the center-right, targeting instead the center-left camp. Israel
Iran, IAEA spar over access to Karaj nuclear site The International Atomic Energy Agency claims that Iran has limited its access to the Karaj nuclear facility, where surveillance cameras have been damaged. Iran
Iran introduces own version of maximum pressure Iran may return to the table in a few weeks, but expect it to continue waiting for the United States to make concessions. Iran
Saudi-linked SoftBank invests heavily in Israel The investment of SoftBank in Israel and the appointment of former Mossad Chief Yossi Cohen as its representative in the country might signal Saudi interests in Israeli technology. Israel
Palestinians challenge Armenian Patriarchate over Jerusalem land lease The Armenian Patriarch’s decision to lease property to an Australian real estate developer has led to a crisis in Palestinian-Armenian ties in Jerusalem Palestine
Hamas rips into Abbas after UN speech Hamas relations with the Palestinian Authority are getting worse, and a recent poll reveals that 78% of Palestinians want Mahmoud Abbas to resign as president. Palestine
Syrian government eyes control of key highway in northwest Increased military movements by government forces and Russia near the Idlib fronts and the strategic M4 highway indicate that the battle against the Turkey-supported opposition may be drawing near. Syria
Northwest Syria closes schools, markets to slow virus spread The Salvation Government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib province closed schools and popular markets amid the outbreak of the coronavirus. Syria
As reconstruction nears, Gaza fears donors won’t deliver on promises The Ministry of Public Works and Housing in the Gaza Strip announced that the reconstruction process will kick off early next month, but fears remain that donor countries won't deliver on their promises. Palestine
Egyptian activist tackles sex education despite taboo Nour Emam has launched an initiative to raise awareness on sexual education and reproductive health in Egypt at a time when sexual culture in Egypt and other Arab countries remains limited. Egypt
Egypt seeks help from NGOs to advance social protection programs The Egyptian government is working with NGOs to advance social protection programs despite criticism that the state is seeking to control these associations and eliminate political Islam. Egypt
Lebanese president highlights crisis of Syrian refugees at UN General Assembly President Michel Aoun said the presence of 1.5 million Syrians is having numerous negative effects on crisis-stricken Lebanon, which has the second-largest Syrian refugee population in the world. News Brief
