EU halts talks with Israel on police intelligence-sharing agreement After signing a draft of a cooperation agreement between Europol and Israeli Police, the political leadership of the European Union is now backing away from the agreement. Israel
Saudi, Chinese companies sign investment deals on renewable energy, cloud services during Xi’s visit Xi Jinping’s trip to Saudi Arabia has focused largely on economic and energy ties so far. Gulf
Jihadists accuse HTS of conspiring with Syrian government to kill IS leader Jihadis opposed to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in northern Syria accuse it of sending fighters from Idlib to Daraa, in the south of the country, to aid the Russians and government forces in eradicating Islamic State cells and their leader in the province. By Ahmed Read Jamus
Analysis The Takeaway: Xi's Saudi Arabia trip sends a message to US Plus, the Biden administration gears up for next week’s summit of African leaders and warns that Iran is still fueling Yemen’s war. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
TIME magazine names Iranian women ‘heroes of the year’ Iranian women are leading the protests in Iran that began after an Iranian Kurdish woman was allegedly beaten to death over her head covering. Iran
Saudi Arabia, China sign deals on tech, climate for Xi’s visit The trip is a sign that Saudi Arabia is seeking more cooperation with China, especially in regards to energy and despite the kingdom’s relationship with the United States. Gulf
Family feuds among Iraq’s Kurdish leaders embolden Iran Iraqi Kurdish leaders are at each other’s throats instead of closing ranks as Iran rains cross-border missile and drone attacks on the region and threatens a ground invasion. Iraq
France criticizes Israel for prolonging detention of French-Palestinian detainee Instead of being expelled to France last Sunday, French-Palestinian Salah Hamouri is being kept in prison pending a Jan. 1 court hearing of his case. Israel
Iran's government reaches out to Reformist party as protests continue Iranian officials have reached out to Reformists in hopes of quelling the protests. Iran