Middle East Experience

The report added that, according to a security official, the information presented in the document is already well-known in the intelligence community.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Bennett gives Netanyahu location of IDF soldiers missing from Lebanon War

The US is studying sales of defensive weapons and military exchange programs to support Saudi Arabia against Yemen’s Houthis aerial attacks on the Kingdom, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday citing Pentagon officials.“Options on the table include sales of specific, defensive weapons, such as missile interceptors; expanded intelligence-sharing; additional training; and military-to-military exchange programs,” the report said.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The report comes two months after the US froze the sale of 3,000 precision guided munitions to Saudi Arabia pending review.Since January, Yemen’s Houthis have launched dozens of cross-border aerial attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Iran-backed militia targeted civilian areas and energy facilities in the Kingdom with explosive-laden drones and ballistic missiles.“By far that’s worse than any other period since before the beginning of the conflict,” a US official told WSJ, referring to the war in Yemen.The US officials praised Saudi Arabia’s defensive capabilities, with one saying: “The Saudis have been pretty effective at knocking this stuff down. They are doing better and better.”Another official stressed the importance of sending a message to the Houthis: “The bottom line is that the Houthis need to know that we are standing with the Saudis and we will continue to support their right to self-defense.”President Joe Biden’s administration revoked a terrorist designation of the Houthis introduced by former President Donald Trump in January. Biden also announced in February ending US support for the offensive operations of the Arab Coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, which intervened in Yemen in 2015.Saudi Arabia maintains that it will continue to treat the Houthis as a terrorist organization regardless of whether the United States decided to designate the group as such, according to the Kingdom's permanent representative to the UN.A group of US lawmakers wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urging him to redesignate Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia as a terrorist organization.Read more:US lawmakers urge Blinken to re-designate Yemen’s Houthis as terrorist organizationUS condemns Yemen’s Houthis ‘egregious’ attack on Saudi ArabiaUS committed to helping Saudi Arabia defend borders, defense sec. tells Crown Prince
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: US studies weapons sales, military training for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi assault: WSJ

Kuwait said on Thursday it would extend a month-long partial curfew that had been due to end next week until April 22 as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.The cabinet said in a statement on Twitter that the curfew would be from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. as of April 8.Visit our dedicated coronavirus site here for all the latest updates.The Gulf Arab state recorded 1,282 new infections on Thursday. It had seen daily cases fall below 300 in December from close to 1,100 last May.The cabinet said deliveries from restaurants, cafes and food stores would be permitted during the fasting month of Ramadan, which begins in mid-April this year, between 7 p.m. and 3 a.m.The Ramadan fast is a time when Muslims are required to abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.Other Gulf Arab states have also seen a rise in coronavirus cases. Oman, where daily cases recently climbed above 1,000, had imposed a partial curfew on March 28.On Thursday, Qatar ordered the suspension of in-person learning at public and private universities and schools as of April 4, state news agency QNA said.Qatar on Thursday registered 840 new infections compared with a daily rate below 200 in December.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Qatar orders private health centers to halt non-urgent services as COVID cases riseKuwait imposes 12 hour curfew for a month amid spike in COVID-19 casesKuwait cabinet approves law to assign $2 bln for COVID-19 frontline workers bonuses
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Kuwait extends curfew, Qatar suspends in-person learning

Health authorities across the Arab world are reporting an alarming rise in coronavirus infections as the fasting month of Ramadan approaches..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Coronavirus surges across Arab world in run up to Ramadan despite vaccine progress

All schools, nurseries and universities will adopt a..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: All students to adopt distance learning: education ministry – Doha News | Qatar

The IMF has given millions in a loan to South Sudan..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: IMF grants 4m emergency loan to South Sudan: central bank

A pioneer educator, she was the founder of one of the oldest schools in the emirate..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: UAE: Sheikh Mohammed pays tribute to late Mariamma Varkey

JPost One-on-One Weekly Zoomcast - Episode 13 with Herb Keinon and former ambassador Michael Oren.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 'Israel's enemies eyeing a country unable to get act together'

First-degree family members of Israeli citizens, many olim, are being denied entry to Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Parents of pregnant woman, bride, others denied entry to Israel

“Iran had 102 kilograms of enriched uranium when Trump took office; they have 2.5 tons of enriched uranium now.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US must rejoin Iran deal 'as quickly as possible' - US lawmakers