Middle East Experience

Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett are satisfied: After a long period without a real state budget, Israel finally got one.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli state budget passes preliminary vote

There are currently about 5,800 US troops at the airport in Kabul to help with evacuation efforts, a US official said on Friday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered about 6,000 troops to Kabul, a number that is expected to be reached in the coming days.NATO on Friday called on the Taliban to allow people being evacuated to leave Afghanistan, and vowed that the allies would remain in “close coordination” while operations continue.The joint declaration by NATO’s 30 member countries was made following an emergency videolink conference of their foreign ministers to discuss evacuation efforts and the next steps to take.Read more: Taliban seizes US war chest given to Afghan govt: Humvees, helicopters, drones, gunsTeenage Afghan football player who fell from US plane was ‘kind and patient’Who are the most influential Taliban leaders?
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US has 5,800 troops at Kabul airport to help with evacuations: Official

Eight people were arrested after authorities in Saudi Arabia thwarted attempts to smuggle large quantities of alcohol into the country hidden in orange juice and drinking water containers, according to SPA.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Three smuggling operations attempting to import a total of 66,312 bottles of alcohol through Jeddah and al-Batha ports were intercepted, it was announced on Friday.Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority carried out the three raids.The first saw 25,380 bottles seized from a truck after smugglers attempted to bring them through al-Batha port hidden in orange juice containers.The second raid involved 16,800 bottles of wine hidden in drinking water packaging being seized.In the third raid, 24,132 bottles of wine were confiscated after smugglers tried to import them through Jeddah Islamic Port hidden in containers labeled ‘machine filters.’The possession and sale of alcohol remain prohibited in Saudi Arabia where both offenses are punishable by jail terms.Read more: Toxic liquor kills 25 people in northern IndiaIranian child in coma after being given alcohol for ‘coronavirus protection’Heavy alcohol drinking raises coronavirus risk: Experts
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia foils attempt to smuggle 66,000 alcohol bottles, eight people arrested

The invitation to visit Cairo and the agreement over the transfer of Qatari money to Gaza are important milestones for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ahead of his visit next week to the White House.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Ahead of Bennett’s visit to Washington, Israel tightens cooperation with Egypt

Syria also reported Israeli airstrikes near Damascus.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli military: Missile fired from Syria toward Israel exploded over sea

NATO’s priority is to get people out of Kabul and keep the airport running, Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday as the alliance’s foreign ministers met for a virtual crisis meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The situation remains difficult and unpredictable,” Stoltenberg told reporters. “The main challenge we face is ensuring that people reach and enter Kabul airport.”More than 18,000 people have been flown out of Kabul since the Taliban took over Afghanistan’s capital, according to a NATO official, but thousands of people, desperate to flee the country, are still thronging the airport.Stoltenberg thanked Turkey, the US and Britain for their efforts to establish security at Kabul airport.He again urged the Taliban to allow the safe passage of all foreign nationals and Afghans seeking to depart the country.After almost two decades, NATO this summer completed military operations in Afghanistan and withdrew most troops from the country.But the alliance still operates a diplomatic representation in Kabul and, headquartered in Brussels, it also serves as a forum to coordinate national measures in Afghanistan, such as the evacuation of citizens.Read more: US has 5,800 troops at Kabul airport to help with evacuations: OfficialTaliban seizes US war chest given to Afghan govt: Humvees, helicopters, drones, gunsTeenage Afghan football player who fell from US plane was ‘kind and patient’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: NATO calls Kabul situation unpredictable as foreign ministers hold crisis talks

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday that the alliance would seek to evacuate more vulnerable Afghans and maintain contact with the Taliban, but that Afghanistan’s new rulers would have to show themselves worthy of aid and recognition.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.NATO member Turkey, which had run Kabul airport for six years, has offered to help keep it operational now that US and other NATO troops have left, and Qatar has offered to help.Stoltenberg said he had discussed the issue with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the Qatari foreign minister.He also said many Afghans who has cooperated with international forces and could therefore be at risk from the Taliban remained in Afghanistan.“Operational contact with Taliban is necessary to get people out,” he told Reuters in an interview. “NATO has been able to evacuate most of the staff working for us. But there are still many people left, and we will continue to do work to get them out.”He warned against expecting a swift recognition of a Taliban government, more than two weeks after the militia captured Kabul and brought an end to 20 years of war.Stoltenberg said it was too early to pass judgment on Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar’s designation as head of the new government.“We have to judge them on their actions, not on their words,” he said. “We will hold them accountable to what they have promised - on preventing Afghanistan being a safe haven for international terrorists, on human rights, especially rights of women, and on free passage.”Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister, echoed many Western governments in vowing to seek moderation from the Taliban, who enforced of a harsh version of Sharia law, including repression of women, when they were in power from 1996 to 2001.“We will use our leverage, political, diplomatic and financial leverage on the new rulers in Afghanistan, and we will stand united,” he said.He said diplomatic recognition would be discussed among NATO allies and the wider international community “to put as much pressure as possible on the Taliban government”.Read more: Taliban confirm Hibatullah Akhundzada will rule, president to run country under himAl-Qaeda joined Taliban in Panjshir valley offensive: SourcesTaliban to follow Iran model, appoint Supreme Leader as highest authority: Report
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: NATO seeks more Afghan evacuations, vows to hold Taliban to promises

The political paralysis in Lebanon is set to continue amid old and new tensions in a nation facing its worst crisis since a civil war ended in 1990 and where power is traditionally shared out between Muslims and Christians..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: No new cabinet yet as old political ways live on in Lebanon

British-born Alexanda Kotey was part of an Islamic State cell that the US government has linked to the hostage-taking and deaths of Americans James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Peter Kassig and Kayla Mueller.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: IS 'Beatles' member pleads guilty in US hostage-taking case

A Turkish airstrike has killed four members of a US-backed Syrian Kurdish force.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkish airstrike kills members of US-backed Kurdish force in Syria