UN vote shuts down Yemen war crimes investigations Twenty-one member states voted against renewing the UN Human Rights Council's mandate to investigate war crimes in Yemen. Yemen
Egypt’s Sisi praises peace with Israel The Egyptian president spoke at an event commemorating the 1973 October War between Israel and Egypt. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iranian state TV claims boats chased US Navy ship The US' Fifth Fleet said it was unaware of any such incident. Iran
Syrian opposition chief: US sanctions a deterrent for Turkish proxy fighters During an interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian National Coalition President Salem al-Meslet discussed recent US sanctions on Ahrar al-Sharqiya, the human rights situation in northern Syria and the US military presence in the war-torn country. Syria
Iran offers big promises to help rebuild Lebanese economy Meeting one Lebanese official after another, Iran's top diplomat announced substantial pledges for Lebanon's energy crisis, as foreign players are jostling each other for influence in the Arab country. Iran
UN seeks to diffuse tensions on Israel-Lebanon border Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in August, prompting retaliatory strikes by the Israeli military on Lebanon. News Brief
Istanbul’s war on street waste collectors threatens migrants Police raids on the unregulated recycling sector are targeting some of the poorest members of Turkish society, including undocumented refugees with few other options to survive. Turkey
Infrastructure aid won't help Turkish city maintain welcome for half-million Syrians A new waste management facility in Gaziantep aims to help the city cope with the challenges of half a million Syrian refugees, but it is unlikely to fix the growing local resentment toward them. Turkey
Iran's FM says Saudi Arabia talks have progressed 'good distance' Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian's comments came after Saudi Arabia confirmed the two rivals held their first round of talks with Tehran's new hard-liner government. Saudi Arabia
Qatar expresses support for 'free and fair elections' in Libya Some Libyan politicians are concerned that the country’s historic elections scheduled for Dec. 24 could be delayed. By Al-Monitor Staff
Germany, Denmark repatriate Islamic State-linked women, children Eleven women and 37 children were flown to Germany and Denmark from Roj camp in northeast Syria, which holds thousands of family members of Islamic State fighters. Syria
Geopolitical rivalry in Caucasus gets militarized The geopolitical power struggle in the Caucasus is growing increasingly militarized as converging interests pit Iran and Armenia against Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Israel. Turkey
Egypt strengthens influence in Africa through church The Egyptian government is working through the Egyptian Orthodox Church in Africa, especially in the Nile Basin countries, as part of a soft power strategy to boost its influence in light of the crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Iraqi Sadrists envision role as broker of next government After once threatening to sit out the elections, the Sadrist movement has embarked on a media and political campaign to increase election turnout. Iraq
Israel runs last-minute diplomatic blitz against nuclear deal with Iran Notching up diplomatic efforts over nuclear talks with Iran, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will travel next week to Washington, while Prime Minister Naftali Bennett might travel the week after to Moscow. Israel
Tunisia's Ennahda party shaken by resignations, political crisis The Islamic Ennahda movement is facing a wave of resignations that are depriving it of its historical leadership and popular base after being the country’s ruling party since 2011. Tunisia
