Middle East Experience

The exploratory talks are meant to lay the ground for formal negotiations but the two countries have made little progress in more than 60 rounds of meetings since 2002 and cannot even agree on what issues to discuss..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Greece, Turkey resume preliminary talks on maritime dispute

Libya's Fayez al-Sarraj has formally handed over power Tuesday to a new interim executive..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Libya's western government hands power to unity team

Hamas: Our chances of winning are ‘strong’
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel, US asked Abbas to delay or cancel Palestinian elections - report

Josep Borrell marked the 10th anniversary of Syria's civil war by doubling down on US-led policy to isolate Assad
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: EU: No Syria reconstruction aid until Assad leaves

An intense sandstorm engulfed several areas of Saudi Arabia, hampering visibility and forcing authorities to issue a weather warning.A dust storm swept the northern region of the country, including al-Jawf, the capital Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, as well as eastern parts of Mecca and Medina, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A video shared on social media platforms showed streetlights and electricity poles knocked over by strong winds and heavy dust on the streets of Hail.Another video showed a bright red cloud of dust enveloping Arar in the Northern Borders Province and obstructing visibility completely.The Saudi Civil Defense urged the public to take precautions as sandstorms swept most of the Kingdom.In a statement, the civil defense urged people to stay at home, especially those with respiratory illnesses.It also warned drivers to be cautious when driving near lamp posts, electricity poles, and billboards on the street.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s Hail sees unusual weather with heavy rain, snow, thunderstormsA dust storm hits Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Intense sandstorm engulfs several areas of Saudi Arabia; public urged to stay home

New infections are ravaging Jordan, where vaccination efforts are lagging far behind what health experts say is needed.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Jordan reinstates partial lockdown as coronavirus deaths spike

Saudi Arabia is supporting the US initiative to end the war in Yemen, but the Iran-backed Houthis have not shown the same responsiveness, the top US diplomat for Yemen said Friday.“The Saudi leadership is prepared to address the conflict … and they’re providing full support for my efforts,” US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.But he added: “I’m looking for the same response from the other side,” in reference to the Houthis.Lenderking, who recently returned from a three-week trip to the region, said a ceasefire plan had been presented to the Houthis. He did not touch on his first meetings with Houthi officials, which was previously reported by Reuters.“We now have a sound plan for a nationwide ceasefire ... that would immediately address Yemen’s dire humanitarian situation,” he said.That plan has been with the Houthis for “a number of days.”The Houthis have escalated an offensive on Yemen’s Marib, one of the government’s last strongholds in the north. And they appear disinterested in a ceasefire at this moment.“Tragically, and somewhat confusingly for me, it appears that the Houthis are prioritizing a military campaign to take Marib,” Lenderking said during a webinar with the Atlantic Council think tank.The US official warned that if the Houthis did not respond to the ceasefire plan, “the country will spiral into greater conflict and instability.”Lenderking also said the Houthis were a “significant player” in Yemen and they needed to be acknowledged. “I don’t think you can operate by denying that reality,” he said, adding that the US “never said the Houthis have no role in Yemen.”Read more:Houthis target civilians with missile in Marib as Yemeni army advancesHeavy clashes break out between Yemeni army, Iran-backed Houthis in HodeidahEurope, US condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and offensive on Yemen’s Marib
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Houthis prioritizing military campaign in Marib over peace in Yemen: US envoy

It is unclear whether the diplomatic crisis is only the result of poor Israeli judgment, or Jordan actually generating it.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Did Jordan generate a crisis, or was it Israel's fault?

With vaccination rates still relatively low in Israeli-Arab towns and villages, residents there wonder how the upcoming month of Ramadan will look like.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli Arabs wonder how COVID-19 will shape Ramadan 2021

Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Harry, Meghan UK popularity plummets after Oprah interview - poll