News 31 Dec 1969 Israel’s Arab party’s new target: 20 Knesset seats Members of the Arab Joint List say that if another round of election is held, their party will only grow stronger. Source: Al Monitor Full Article: Israel’s Arab party’s new… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Intel: Russia, Turkey reach deal on Syria's Idlib Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar finally announced March 13 that after four days of talks in the Turkish capital, the Russian and Turkish militaries have agreed on the details of… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Bahrain pardons hundreds of prisoners as coronavirus fears spread While authorities have attributed the release to humanitarian reasons, human rights groups link the decision to efforts to contain the outbreak. Source: Al Monitor Full Article: Bahrain pardons hundreds of… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Historical context: Biden’s 2002 vote on Iraq war Congress passed a new resolution on the use of force in the Middle East; the United States retaliates against Iran-backed militias in Iraq; and an 18-year-old debate returns. Source: Al… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 ‘Dragon storm’ batters Egypt with torrential rains, killing nearly 20 The intense storm comes as the country struggles to contain a coronavirus outbreak within its borders. Source: Al Monitor Full Article: ‘Dragon storm’ batters Egypt with torrential rains, killing nearly… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Lebanon struggles to cope with COVID-19 amid financial crisis As Lebanon reels under the brunt of the worst financial crisis in its recent history, the government struggles to provide the necessary equipment to be able to cater for a… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Erdogan turns to oil in a bid to salvage Syria policy Turkey’s president eyes oil-related bargains in Syria after failing to achieve his stated objectives in Idlib and acquiescing to a new deal with Russia in the rebel stronghold. Source: Al… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Netanyahu, Gantz must return to Cairo 2016 Blue and White leader Benny Gantz should agree to a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not just to fight the coronavirus, but to resume the Cairo talks with… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Syrian opposition split over Russia-Turkey patrols in Idlib The joint military patrols mandated by the Russia-Turkey cease-fire are in effect, sparking protests and dividing the Syrian opposition. Source: Al Monitor Full Article: Syrian opposition split over Russia-Turkey patrols… Meet the Middle East
News 31 Dec 1969 Netanyahu’s coronavirus strategy erodes Israel’s democracy Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exploits the coronavirus panic to erode Israel’s democracy, limit the Knesset, introduce emergency-mode regulations, and prevent Blue and White from implementing the majority garnered by the… Meet the Middle East
