Despite vaccination push, Iran nearing sixth wave of COVID Despite rising vaccination rates, Iran sees a sixth wave of coronavirus on the horizon. Iran
Military bus explodes in Damascus, leaving 14 dead Syrian government soldiers were also killed in an explosion in central Syria. News Brief
Refugees returning to Syria face reprisals from government The rights organization documented arrest, arbitrary detention, torture and other forms of abuse among Syrian refugees who returned to their home country from Lebanon and Jordan. Syria
Israel regularizes status of 4,000 West Bank Palestinians Defense Minister Benny Gantz decided to legalize the status of some 4,000 Palestinians who live in the West Bank but are not properly registered. Israel
Female volunteers in northwestern Syria raise awareness of breast cancer Volunteers raise breast cancer awareness among women in opposition areas in northwestern Syria, where access to health care is limited. Syria
Ethiopia preps for third filling as Nile dam diplomacy stalls Hope for negotiations on the crisis with Egypt and Sudan is fading as Ethiopia works toward the third-stage filling of its mega dam on the Blue Nile. Egypt
UAE budget boosts cybersecurity The huge increase of cyberattacks during the coronavirus pandemic, digital transformation and terrorism threats have pushed the UAE to secure its cyberborders through high expenditure within its new budget. Gulf
Members of Congress criticize normalization with Syria's Assad Both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill have spoken out against countries establishing ties with Syria as Jordan, Egypt and the UAE have increased diplomatic contacts with Damascus. News Brief
Iran commander rejoices at US ‘defeats’ The IRGC commander was enumerating US failures in the region only hours after reports that Israel was allocating a special budget for a military strike on Iran. Iran
Egypt-Greece-Cyprus summit prioritizes energy cooperation Egypt is also working to repair its relations with Greece and Cyprus’ rival, Turkey. Egypt
EU looks to boost Syrian businesses in Turkey Many Syrian refugees are working in Turkey without work permits, and the European Union is trying to support their small businesses. Syria
Ankara summons 10 ambassadors over call to free Turkish philanthropist Turkey’s Foreign Ministry summoned the ambassadors of the United States, Germany and France, among others, after they called for the release of Osman Kavala, a Turkish philanthropist jailed over four years without conviction. Turkey
Iraqi election shakes up Shiite political old guard The victory of the coalition led by populist cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, and the rise of independent Shiite politicians, could foreshadow a new chapter in Iraqi politics. Iraq
Iraq captures mastermind of 2016 Islamic State terror attack that killed hundreds Iraq arrested the man behind the infamous 2016 bomb attack in a Baghdad shopping center that left nearly 350 people dead and 250 injured. Iraq
Anger as Netanyahu skips Rabin memorial In an unusual step, opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu declined to attend the state memorial ceremony marking 26 years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Israel
Drone sale to Ethiopia could jeopardize Turkey-Egypt dialogue Turkey risks derailing normalization talks with Egypt by selling armed drones to Ethiopia, in addition to coming under international fire should Ethiopia use the drones in the conflict in Tigray. Turkey
