Middle East elections had consequences in 2021 Elections in Israel, Iran and Iraq shook up status quo; Syria’s presidential contest a blow to the UN process; Libya and Palestine took a pass on elections, with consequences as well. News Brief
Combat mission of international coalition in Iraq has ended The Iraqi government has announcement the end of the international forces’ mission in the country, renewing controversy over the concept of resistance and the legitimacy of its weapons in a law-abiding democratic state. Iraq
Mahmoud Abbas shakes dormant Palestinian-Israeli relations The Palestinian president’s daring visit to Israel to meet at the home of Defense Minister Benny Gantz has brought a huge storm to both of them, but Abbas and his aides insist that the visit was a final warning to Israel before things explode due to settler violence and absence of any political horizon for Palestinians. Palestine
Will Egypt manage to bring home all smuggled artifacts? As part of their continuous efforts to retrieve Egypt's stolen, prized antiquities, Egyptian authorities announced on Dec. 20 the recovery of 36 artifacts that had been smuggled to Madrid. Culture
Will Germany freeze the arms deal with Egypt? The mutual escalation between Egypt and Germany regarding the human rights situation in Egypt and the threat to freeze the military deal agreed upon by German Chancellor Angela Merkel before her departure to Egypt raised several questions about the future of the relationship between the two countries as a new government takes over the country. Egypt
Child rape and security forces’ behavior spark outcry in Iraq Violent crimes perpetrated against Iraqi women and girls has led to outrage and renewed calls for women to have greater representation and decision-making opportunities in the country, as all-male government formation talks continue. Iraq
Libya’s parliament reaches out to Ankara leaving Gen. Hifter in the cold The recent visit by a Libyan parliamentary delegation to Ankara might indicate a serious rift between eastern Libya’s allies forcing Gen. Khalifa Hifter to reconsider his choices. North Africa
Lebanon campaigns to revive tourism amid economic crisis Several campaigns such as the "Give Lebanon a Break" one launched by the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar sparked widespread criticism from the Lebanese, who believe it has nothing to do with their reality and the economic collapse of the country. Lebanon
Basra governor tests the waters for the premiership The governor of Basra is moving between political blocs and high-level leaders in a bid to access the premiership, but the political landscape does not appear conducive for this. Iraq
Benny Gantz, Mahmoud Abbas see eye to eye on security risks Embracing an opposite approach to that of former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz tries reinforcing the status of the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Israel
Certification of election results opens new chapter in Iraq’s political conflict Iraq's Federal Court has certified the recent election results, setting in motion the constitutional deadlines. Iraq
Reasons behind Mohammed Dahlan's Democratic Reform Current elections in Gaza Mohammed Dahlan’s Democratic Reform Current held its first internal elections in Gaza, ahead of Fatah’s general conference next March and in light of failed reconciliation efforts within the movement. Palestine
Egypt announces deal for large petrochemical production complex The new integrated complex for the production of methanol, ammonia and its derivatives in the industrial zone of Ain Sukhna, Egypt, aims to export its products with a production of one million tons of methanol and 400 thousand tons of ammonia annually. Egypt
Why Turkey is in crosshairs of Chechen leader Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s latest threats to Ankara have betrayed the undercurrent tensions between Ankara and Moscow that have been simmering for a while. Turkey
Here's what the 2022 NDAA has to say about the Middle East These are the key takeaways on what the 2022 NDAA says – and doesn’t say – about US policy in the region. United States
Iran says Vienna talks on ‘good path’ Iranian media and officials have expressed optimism over the latest round of nuclear talks. By Al-Monitor Staff
