Middle Orient

The administration has been sluggish in its pledge to withdraw material support to the Kingdom and help end the blockade in Yemen. In sharp contrast to Donald Trump’s uncritical embrace of the Saudi regime and its brutal war in Yemen, President Biden took the opportunity of his first foreign policy …

Officials have announced an ‘end’ to the combat mission, but this appears to be a shift in definitions rather than a real withdrawal. Iraqi and U.S. officials have been talking about the end of a U.S. combat mission in Iraq, but they appear to be changing definitions rather than trying …

Decision to delay controversial pipeline project over environmental concerns unlikely to lead to major crisis, however. Israel’s decision to freeze a proposed oil pipeline deal with the United Arab Emirates marks the first real test of the Abraham Accords that normalized Israel-UAE relations but is unlikely to lead to a …

Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi arrived in Cairo earlier today Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed with Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi the latest developments in the region in a meeting on Monday afternoon, including the situation in Lebanon, Syria, Libya. They also …

Among other matters, they will discuss the NSO affair. Defense Minister Benny Gantz will travel to France this week to discuss spyware sold by Israeli cyber firm NSO that was allegedly used to target French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron’s phone was on a list of targets that were possibly under …

President Michel Aoun designated Mikati after the wealthy businessman secured the backing of a majority of lawmakers. Lebanon’s president has appointed Najib Mikati as the country’s new prime minister-designate after the billionaire businessman won the approval of a majority of lawmakers. The two-time prime minister secured 72 of 118 votes …

The Imam Ali Division militia claimed two drones attacked one of its storage facilities near Najaf. Iraq’s military pushed back on a claim by a pro-Iran militia that one of the militia’s storage facilities in Najaf had been attacked by a drone. Iraq’s security media cell said that an explosion …

Following a White House meeting today between US President Joe Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, the two side announced an agreement that the US combat mission in Iraq will end by Dec. 31, 2021. US President Joe Biden on Monday announced that the US military’s role in Iraq …

Egypt slams the Turkish plan to reopen the town of Varosha in the eastern part of the island of Cyprus, at a time when talks to normalize ties between the two countries have stalled. The Turkish plan to reopen the town of Varosha, located on the eastern side of Cyprus …

Israel is perplexed over the recent statement by Russian Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit concerning the interception in Syria of alleged Israeli missiles. The claims by Russian Rear Adm. Vadim Kulit that Russian-made defense systems intercepted missiles fired last week by two Israeli F16 fighter jets toward targets near the Syrian …