Iraq diversifies arms imports after US withdrawal from Afghanistan The US withdrawal may have spurred Iraq to consider purchases from Turkey and Pakistan, according to report by the Pentagon's Inspector General. News Brief
UK urges Iranian deputy FM on jailed British nationals The meeting between British officials and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani came nearly three weeks after Richard Ratcliffe launched a hunger strike to protest his wife's detention. Iran
UAE, Saudi Arabia look to strengthen trade with India The two richest states in the Persian Gulf region find themselves locked in competition to maximize opportunities for stronger economic ties to Indian markets. Gulf
UAE, Israel, Bahrain, US conduct joint naval exercise in Red Sea Fighter jets from Saudi Arabia and Israel flew alongside a US B-1 bomber over the region today in a separate exercise of force. Gulf
Saudi-led coalition pushes back on reports of troop withdrawals from Yemen The Gulf coalition's denial comes amid reports of Saudi troop withdrawals from al-Mahra governorate. Yemen
Iran deports thousands of Afghan refugees, UN agency says In the last week of October, Iran sent back more than 28,000 Afghans who fled across the border. Iran
Syria sends consul-general to Dubai UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus this week. News Brief
Iranian diplomat visits UK amid growing pressure over jailed activist The Iranian negotiator's meetings were expected to be overshadowed by UK demands for the release of British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, whose husband is on a hunger strike outside the UK Foreign Office headquarters in London. Iran
Turks demand protection after woman killed with sword In the wake of a headline-making femicide in Istanbul, activists and politicians have revived calls to return to the Istanbul Convention. Turkey
Incoming CEO of Israeli NSO Group resigns amid Pegasus scandals Isaac Benbenisti announced he was stepping aside "in light of the special circumstances" involving the Israeli spyware firm. Israel
Syrian jihadist group mandates apologies, or imprisonment, for criticism Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls most of Idlib, enforces zero tolerance for critics. Syria
Israel joins international artificial intelligence group Israel was added today to the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, joining 19 an alliance of technologically advanced democratic countries. Israel
Qatar ups funding for UN Palestinian refugees agency Qatar is a major financial supporter of the Palestinian people, and reached a deal with Israel earlier this year to resume assistance to the Gaza Strip. News Brief
The Takeaway: Iran says US must show goodwill ahead of nuclear talks Saudi Arabian beach riles conservatives; Turkey responds to Erdogan health speculation; Arab-Israeli legislator vindicated by budget; Alexandria’s global warming worries; Egypt offers divorce counseling; Pharaoh’s honey bees still buzzing; all in less than 1,500 words! Iran
Emirates Airlines revenues rise Like other regional carriers, Dubai’s preeminent airline has suffered financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. News Brief
Turkish Airlines denies fueling Belarus-Poland migration crisis After EU officials threatened to blacklist airlines facilitating travel for asylum-seekers amassing at the Poland-Belarus border, Turkish Airlines denied links to the bloc’s latest migration crisis. Turkey
