Analysis From UNRWA to ICC, how Republican Congress would shift Middle East policy Bills to cut aid for Palestinians and expedite arms sales to Israel faced Democratic pushback, but they could now easily become law. By Megan Mineiro In Washington, DC, reporting on US Congress
Analysis Saudi Arabia to pursue two-track approach for Trump presidency Riyadh is likely to compartmentalize business dealings with incoming President Donald Trump separately from its foreign policy engagements, where there is likely to be disagreement. By Jennifer Gnana In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics
ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel’s Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas' Deif Six months after International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan submitted his request to prosecute them, the world court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israel
Shin Bet chief discusses Gaza truce in Turkey: What we know The Israeli official's travel to Turkey marks a dramatic development considering that Ankara has not played a part in these negotiations over the past year and Israel-Turkey relations have significantly deteriorated amid the Gaza war. Israel
Saudi Arabia temporarily releases two US-Saudi political prisoners Dual citizens Salah al-Haidar and Bader al-Ibrahim still face trial on terror-related charges. Saudi Arabia
US citizen’s torture suit to test Egypt relations under Biden The Joe Biden administration may take a position on the immunity of Egypt’s former prime minister in a lawsuit brought by an American human rights activist. Egypt
State Department condemns Turkey's anti-LGBT rhetoric against protesters Turkey's president and other officials have used inflammatory anti-gay rhetoric to describe the student-led protests in Istanbul. Turkey
Twitter adds warning label to Turkish minister's anti-LGBT tweet Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu's tweet accused "LGBT perverts" protesting in Istanbul of disrespecting Islam. Turkey
Canada votes to offer citizenship to jailed Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, whose wife and children live in Canada, is serving a 10-year jail sentence in Saudi Arabia for "insulting Islam." Saudi Arabia
Egyptians living in Saudi Arabia face attacks The repeated attacks against Egyptian nationals in Saudi Arabia may have become a phenomenon that has even escalated into killings lately in the absence of any deterrence. Saudi Arabia
Emirati activist held under 'abhorrent' conditions, rights group says Since his arrest in 2017, Ahmed Mansoor has been held in solitary confinement without access to basic necessities, Human Rights Watch said. United Arab Emirates
Iranian-American sentenced to prison, allegedly without a trial Iran has imprisoned a number of dual citizens of the United States and European countries on disputed charges. United States
Biden names Samantha Power as nominee for USAID chief The former journalist and UN ambassador has spent her career advocating for human rights around the globe. United States
Rights group B’Tselem says Israel is an apartheid state A new report by one of Israel's leading human rights groups argues in favor of the analogy to segregated South Africa. Israel
Iran approves 3-day release for jailed lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Nasrin Sotoudeh is serving a decadeslong prison sentence on charges related to her work as a human rights defender. Iran
Gulf countries end feud, but Saudi cleric who urged detente still in jail Salman Aloudah's son says it's ironic that Saudi Arabia is hailing the end of the Gulf rift but silencing a prominent voice who called on the neighbors to mend ties. Saudi Arabia
