Explainer As Guterres exits, here are contenders for UNSG and their Middle East outlook The next UN secretary-general will inherit a Middle East agenda dominated by crises. United States
Interview Ex-PM says Sudan risks partition amid US ceasefire push Former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also called for the United States to impose sanctions that would carry “personal consequences” for the warring sides.
Iran rallies thousands of volunteer fighters as talks with US stall: What to know Iran has been leading a volunteer recruitment drive and providing military training to civilians as talks with the US remain stalled. Iran
Lebanon PM meets Rubio as Israel talks stall: What to know The visit comes as US-brokered talks between Lebanon and Israel have made little headway, with Israeli elections looming. Lebanon
What is behind Iran’s execution spree as Tehran hangs 10 prisoners this week? The United Nations estimated that more than 200 people have been executed this year so far, as authorities battle internal protests. Iran
UN Security Council invites Pope Francis, Al-Azhar imam for joint speech In a first, the world’s two most prominent religious leaders are expected to deliver a joint speech on peace at the UN Security Council at a time when wars and conflicts are raging across the world. Egypt
Biden issues new Sudan executive order authorizing sanctions President Joe Biden paved the way for sanctions on members of Sudan’s warring factions but stopped short of imposing them. Sudan
UNRWA staff in Gaza strike as demands remain unmet UNRWA schools and clinics in the besieged enclave were closed as the agency failed to meet its staff’s demands. Palestine
US announces $444 million to Yemen as humanitarian needs soar Despite the fresh US assistance, a donors conference for Yemen raised less than one-third of what the United Nations said is needed to avert further humanitarian crisis. Yemen
Earthquake orphans in Turkey, Syria face uncertain future Thousands of requests poured into Turkey’s Social Affairs Ministry to foster children who survived last week's quakes, but the ministry maintains that its priority is to reunite kids with families or relatives, if they can. Turkey
Arab states, militias pour aid into Syria as earthquake death toll exceeds 5,000 The Lebanese group Hezbollah and Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces are among the militias that delivered aid to Syria. Syria
Culture UNESCO lists two locations in Lebanon, Yemen as heritage sites in danger In an urgent session on Wednesday, UNESCO named two sites from Lebanon and Yemen to its List of World Heritage in Danger, calling for their immediate preservation. Lebanon
UN extends Lebanon investigation into Hariri assassination for another year The UN approved the extension of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon for about a year, to finalize its work. Lebanon
Water crisis worsens in Syria's Idlib as support dries up The "Goal" organization, which has been active in Syria since 2012, has stopped pumping water in villages and towns as support for it ends Syria
Irish UN peacekeeping soldier killed in south Lebanon A UNIFIL convoy came under attack Dec. 14 resulting in the death of an Irish soldier and the injury of three others. Lebanon
