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Qatar seeks to play Oman’s role in US, Iran mediation

Doha imagines itself in a better negotiating position and willing to play its role as a peacemaker. As the inauguration of US President-elect Joe Biden approaches, and with his administration’s intention to reopen the gate for negotiations with Iran, Qatar is seeking to position itself as the “number one” mediator …

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Abbas seeks Qatari support as regional pressure mounts on PA to adjust course

Palestinian sources in Ramallah say that the Palestinian president wants Qatar to play a supportive role with the new US administration in order to ensure that the Palestinian file is on the top of American priorities. Well informed Palestinian sources said that President Mahmoud Abbas’s visit to the Qatari capital, …

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Suspected Russian Hackers Breach U.S. Treasury, Other Government Agencies

Suspected Russian hackers broke into U.S. government networks, including the Treasury and Commerce departments, as part of a monthslong global cyberespionage campaign believed to have also targeted other governments and major corporations. National Security Council spokesperson John Ullyot said in a statement on December 13 that the government was “taking …

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How Russia is preparing in Syria for Biden’s presidency

Moscow is hoping the final months of outgoing President Donald Trump’s presidency will allow it an opportunity to reinforce its positions in Syria. While Russian foreign policy circles have noted reasons why President-elect Joe Biden’s administration may see the Middle Eastern theater relegated further down the list of American policy …

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Idleb: Assailants Attack Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham Checkpoint, One Fighter Killed

A Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham fighter was killed by two men who opened fire from a motorcycle at a checkpoint in Idleb’s western countryside reports Zaman Al-Wasl. Two masked men opened fire on a Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham checkpoint in northern Idleb province, killing one fighter and wounding another, Zaman Al-Wasl’s reporter …

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Is Egypt ready to turn page on Gulf crisis with Qatar?

Egypt has welcomed the recent Kuwaiti efforts to end the Gulf crisis pitting a Saudi-led bloc of nations, including Egypt, against Qatar. After Saudi Arabia and Kuwait recently announced that they had made progress toward ending the dispute Egypt and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have with Qatar, Egypt’s Foreign …

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