The Muslim World
Turkey, Syria Defense Ministers Meet in Moscow - WSJ
The gathering was the first formal, high-level meeting between the two Middle East governments since the eruption of a civil war in Syria in 2011.
Analysis: Iraq's mercurial Moqtada Sadr risks isolation with political retreat | Reuters
The Shi'ite cleric who dominated Iraqi politics for two decades, chose to withdraw in August after he failed to form a cabinet without Iranian-backed rivals. The country then briefly slid toward a civil war.
Iranian Government Relies on Loyal Supporters as Bulwark Against Protests - WSJ
Tehran empowers its supporters, including the Basij paramilitary group, with perks, jobs and guns, making them a force for maintaining the status quo.
Serbs revoke troop alert, remove some roadblocks in Kosovo | AP News
MITROVICA, Kosovo (AP) — Serbia on Thursday revoked combat readiness of its troops on the border with Kosovo as local Serbs started removing more than a dozen of the roadblocks they had set up in the north of the state, in a sign of easing of tensions that have sparked fears of a renewed conflict in the Balkans.
Secular Winter
Israel's Netanyahu back in power with hard-line government | AP News
JERUSALEM (AP) — Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday returned to power for an unprecedented sixth term as Israel’s prime minister, taking the helm of the most right-wing and religiously conservative government in the country’s 74-year history.
Finance and Economy
Egypt leads 2022 gains, Saudi marks first annual loss in 7 years | Reuters
The Saudi Arabian stock market ended lower on Wednesday, marking its first annual loss in seven years, while the Egyptian bourse was the Middle East's best performer in 2022.
Oil set to end turbulent 2022 modestly higher | Reuters
Oil prices edged up on Friday and were on track to post their second straight annual gains, albeit modest, in a stormy year marked by tight supplies due to the Ukraine war, a strong dollar and weakening demand from the world's top crude importer China.
Quds Matters
JAF, JHCO dispatch 13-truck aid convoy to Gaza | Jordan Times
AMMAN — The Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), in cooperation with the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army (JAF), on Thursday dispatched a humanitarian aid convoy to the Gaza Strip.A statement by the JHCO, cited by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said that the 13-truck convoy was laden with food parcels that will be delivered to the Palestinian Ministry of Social Affairs and the Jordanian military field hospital in Gaza, where aid will be distributed to beneficiaries in the coastal enclave.
King to CNN: Jordan ready to deal with any push on Hashemite Custodianship red lines | Jordan Times
King warns against extremists’ attempts to use Jerusalem to create conflict, violenceHis Majesty reiterates importance of Baptism Site for Jordan from historical, religious perspective King highlights importance of protecting Christian presence in Middle East‘We have to be concerned about a next Intifada’If the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is not resolved, the Arab street will always be naturally sympathetic to the Palestinian cause AMMAN — CNN
Close aide curses Palestinian leader in leaked audio | AP News
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A top aide to President Mahmoud Abbas was heard in newly released recordings on Tuesday cursing the Palestinian leader and insulting other members of the Palestinian leadership.