Middle East Experience

Violent clashes have erupted near the Kurdish-held town of Ain Issa in northern Syria between Kurdish-led and pro-Ankara fighters..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Kurdish fighters, pro-Turkey rebels clash in north Syria

Number of new infections and daily deaths at the lowest in months.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Coronavirus in Israel: I don’t expect another wave says corona czar

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps discussed attacking a US military base using an explosive-laden boat.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Would Iran be prepared to attack a US military base in America?

A group of bereaved Israeli-Arab mothers has decided to combat the worrisome phenomenon of increasing crime, violence and police inefficiency.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli-Arab mothers lead protest against crime, violence

Europe must take action as Lebanon collapses, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, adding that he would press EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday to discuss solutions to the economic and political crisis in Beirut.Paris has spearheaded international efforts to rescue the former French protectorate from its deepest crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, but after seven months has failed so far to persuade squabbling politicians to adopt a reform roadmap or form a new government to unlock international aid.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The crisis has accelerated in recent days, with the currency plunging in value and some grocery shops temporarily shutting for lack of supplies.President Michel Aoun is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister-designate Saad al-Hariri later on Monday to try and break the deadlock in forming a government.“France wishes that we discuss the Lebanon question,” Le Drian said as he arrived at the EU foreign ministers’ meeting.“The country is drifting away, divided ... when a country collapses, Europe must be ready.”French and Western diplomats have said that after months of stalemate, France is now ready to discuss the prospect of sanctions, at EU or national level, on senior Lebanese officials, although it is not likely to be immediate.Read more:Lebanon’s Hariri says new cabinet, IMF dialogue necessary to halt collapseLebanon central bank will intervene in order to control the exchange rate: PresidencyLebanon’s theft crimes increased by 144 pct amid ongoing national crisis
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: France’s FM urges EU to help Lebanon deal with its worst economic crisis

The Central Elections Committee is putting in place several special measures, including drones, to ensure safe voting process for all Israelis, including those infected with the coronavirus.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel to deploy drones on election day to facilitate voting by COVID-19 patients

This will be the first face to face meeting between the two since Biden took office.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Blinken to hold bilateral talks with Turkish foreign minister at NATO meeting in Brussels

The United Arab Emirates will implement a ten-year plan to more than double the country's industrial output and help to bolster its economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, it was announced Monday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Operation 300bn outlines a strategy to increase the industrial sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP from its current $36 billion (AED133 billion) to $82 billion (AED300 billion) by 2031 – reducing reliance on imports, according to the Dubai Media Office.The country’s leaders also aim to increase spending on Research and Development in the industrial sector from $6bn (AED 21 billion – 1.3 percent of GDP), to $16 billion (AED 57 billion – 2 percent of GDP) by 2031.The plan focuses on four main objectives. The first involves offering financing facilities to support 13,500 industrial small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and develop the UAE’s industrial infrastructure.The second objective involves improving the quality standards of UAE-made goods with the aim of increasing the export market’s value as well as boosting demand domestically, under the slogan ‘Make it in the Emirates’. Operation 300bn’s third objective focuses on developing high-tech industry, and the fourth objective aims to establish the country as an international hub for industry – attracting talent and investment from overseas.“The industrial strategy will achieve a giant leap in the UAE’s industrial sector to become the main driving force of the national economy and lead the journey of our next 50 years with greater confidence and speed,” said Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in a statement.“The comprehensive national program builds on the country’s investment benefits to lead a sustainable economic development in line with national priorities for the post-COVID-19 phase,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi added in the statement.There are currently more than 33,000 industrial enterprises operating in the UAE, comprising 95 percent of SMEs. Sheikh Mohammed called these, in a statement, the “backbone” of the UAE’s economy.“[Operation 300bn] will significantly accelerate the process of economic diversification already underway in key industrial sectors, where the UAE already has an established presence and expertise, including energy, petrochemicals, plastics, metals and manufacturing; sectors that reinforce the country’s resilience and reduce dependence on global supply chains, such as food, agriculture, water, and healthcare; and industries of the future, including space, biotech, medi-tech and other sectors that are enabled by fourth industrial revolution technologies,” Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology said in a statement.Read more: UAE approves new system to attract remote workers, multiple entry tourist visasUAE weapons show draws major deals and traders amid pandemicUAE expands COVID-19 vaccination drive, urges ages 16 and above to register
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE announces ten-year plan to double industrial output, bolster post-COVID economy

The United Nations said a grain port was bombed in Salif and six workers were wounded.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Saudi Arabia-led coalition ramps up airstrikes in Yemen after Houthi attacks

Saudi Arabia has proposed a new peace initiative to end the ongoing conflict in Yemen between the internationally-recognized government and the Iran-backed Houthis, the Kingdom’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan said on Monday.The new initiative includes a nationwide ceasefire that will be implemented under the supervision of the United Nations, Prince Faisal said during a press conference in Riyadh.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Political negotiations between the Yemeni government and the Houthis will also resume under the initiative, Prince Faisal added.“We will work with the international community, with our partners and with the government of Yemen to push toward this initiative being implemented. We will do all we can to put the necessary pressure on the Houthis to accept and to come to the negotiating table and to lay down arms, because we believe that a stop to the fighting and a focus on a political solution is the only way forward,” Prince Faisal said.If the two parties agree to the deal, Sanaa airport will reopen, which will allow fuel and food imports through the Hodeidah port, according to the minister.Iran’s interference in YemenThe Kingdom rejects Iran’s interference in Yemen as well as its exports of ballistic missiles to the Houthis, Prince Faisal said. He called on the Houthis to accept the peace plan in order to end the conflict.Iran has been supplying militias in the region with weapons and has led to the destabilization of several countries, he added.“The initiative will take effect as soon as the Houthis agree to it,” Prince Faisal said.“It is up to the Houthis now, and we are ready to go today. We hope that we can have a ceasefire immediately. The Houthis must decide whether to put their interests first or Iran’s interests first.”Iran backs the Houthis in their war against the government by supplying the group with ballistic missiles, ddrones, and other military weapons.The minister reiterated that Saudi Arabia will continue to support the people of Yemen and their government.“We will nonetheless continue to support the people of Yemen and the government of Yemen, and we will continue to protect our borders and our citizens and our infrastructure from Houthi attacks,” he added.Read more:Blinken tells Saudi FM that US committed to supporting defense of Saudi ArabiaArab Coalition destroys hostile Houthi defense system in MaribArab Coalition strikes hit Houthi missiles' workshops in Yemen's Sanaa
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia proposes new peace plan to end Yemen war: FM