Turkey terminates post of several honorary consuls critical of government The Turkish Foreign Ministry’s termination of posts for nine consul generals, including those from Belgium, Austria, Sweden and the UK, are attributed to some of the consuls’ criticism of government policies and their political links with opposition parties. Turkey
Pakistan to remove Iran from virus-related travel restrictions list COVID-19 cases have been falling for weeks in Iran, where military leaders have signaled a desire to improve relations with Pakistan. News Brief
Drug dealers in Gaza risk Hamas military trials Hamas in the Gaza Strip has come under criticism for referring civilians accused of drug use and traficking to the military judiciary. Palestine
Lebanon’s president, prime minister agree on plan to solve crisis with Gulf Saudi Arabia and its allies are angry with a Lebanese minister over comments he made on the war in Yemen, but the row may actually be about the influence of Iran’s ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. Lebanon
Ethiopia accused of exploiting Sudan coup to renew border conflict In the wake of the Sudan coup on Oct. 25, some observers believe Ethiopia will take the opportunity to further its claims in a border dispute with Khartoum. Egypt
Israeli coalition celebrates approval of state budget Most of the elements Israel’s state budget were approved this morning after an all-night Knesset session. Israel
Islamic State attack sparks sectarian bloodletting in Iraq’s Diyala An Islamic State attack has triggered a crescendo of acts of violence against and displacement of Sunnis in Iraq’s Diyala province, which borders Iran and has long suffered the presence of cells operating in its dense orchards and parts of the Hamrin Mountains. Iraq
Israeli, Jordanian economy ministers sign West Bank export deal In their meeting Nov. 3, Economy Minister Orna Barbivai and Jordanian Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yousef Alshamali agreed to expand the list of materials and products Jordan could export to the West Bank. Israel
Egypt intensifies efforts to bring Syria back into Arab fold Cairo says efforts are also aimed at helping end the Syria crisis. Egypt
The Takeaway: Ethiopia's escalating crisis imperils other US objectives in region Netanyahu’s last stand to bring down Israeli coalition?; China comes between US and Israel; Turkey readies for Syria battle; clerics question pig transplants; experts question second Sphinx; Egypt’s first female chanters … all in less than 1,400 words! Sudan
Turkish inflation nears 20% on rising food, energy costs While Turkey’s latest official inflation figures beat expectations, raising some concerns over data integrity, consumer prices are expected to keep rising amid growing global energy costs. Turkey
Algeria accuses Morocco of fatal attack on three truck drivers The Algerian presidency said the killing of the three Algerian truck drivers in a roadside bombing on Monday "will not go unpunished." Morocco
Senate committee advances Biden nominee for Middle East policy Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had a fiery debate over the confirmation process, which touched on US policy toward Egypt, Israel and Lebanon. United States
Intel: Saudi Arabia, UAE publicly reject Sudan’s coup Washington is trying to bring its Middle Eastern allies into line with international efforts to revive the transition to democracy in Khartoum. Sudan
Iran's female soccer fans still can't attend games While Iranian authorities said that spectators had been banned from recent games due to health protocols, many fans speculated the move was aimed at avoiding pressure from FIFA to allow women into stadiums. Iran
Iran claims it stopped US from seizing oil tanker Iran said the US had attempted to steal an Iranian ship carrying oil but was thwarted by the Iranian military. Iran
