A thaw in Turkey’s relations with Egypt? Gulf Cooperation Council reconciliation may have set in motion Ankara’s desire for a reset with Cairo. Egypt
Biden's deputy secretary of state nominee OK'd by Senate committee The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved moving Wendy Sherman's nomination to the full Senate, with some Democrats and Republicans who had disagreed with her on the Iran deal voting to confirm her anyway. United States
Biden's CIA nominee stresses China over Iran during Senate hearing Ambassador William Burns said that China is the biggest challenge for the United States, but that Iran and Russia cannot be overlooked. Regional
Post-COVID Mideast economies look to the Gulf and Egypt The region took a hard hit from the pandemic, and it’s far from over, but Egypt and Saudi Arabia are managing better than expected. Regional
Ankara turns wary eye on Greece's new defense minister Greece's new Defense Minister Kammenos led the Turkish and Greek navies and air forces into an unfriendly confrontation on Jan. 30, in what Ankara hopes was a one-time provocation. Turkey
Summit to focus on reducing terror recruitment Some analysts say the use of the term “violent extremists” reflects excessive political correctness and that the US government is not properly organized to prevent young people from joining jihadist groups. Regional
Hamas begins rapprochement with Hezbollah, Iran A series of meetings in Beirut have brought Hamas and Hezbollah closer, after their divided stances on the Syrian issue and in light of a possible conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Palestine
Turkey’s leftists, Kurds celebrate Syriza victory The election victory of Greece's leftist Syriza party was cause for celebration among Turkey's Kurds and its marginalized left wing, both of which are seeking more electoral power. Turkey
Eyeing political gains, Kurds and Syriacs aim to mend old wounds At the grass-roots level, the alliance between Kurds and the Syriac community has led to bitter divisions. Turkey
Egypt uses church to bolster ties with Ethiopia Egypt is taking advantage of the rapprochement between the Ethiopian and Egyptian Coptic churches in negotiations over the Renaissance Dam, although some criticize the church’s involvement in politics, especially since Ethiopia is moving forward with the dam’s construction. Egypt
Decentralization of powers weakens IS The Islamic State leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, is forced to limit his movements while relying on primitive means of communication, which weakens the organization. Iraq
Palestinians, Libya, Qatar go on lobbying binge Some of last year’s biggest losers on Capitol Hill are spending big to avoid a repeat in 2015. Palestine
Turkey aims to mend ties with Armenia Armenia’s entry in the Euroasian Economic Union has encouraged Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to implement his formal apology and open the border with Armenia before April 24, 2015, the 100th anniversary of the genocide. Turkey
Former House Intel chair: Turkey can't have it both ways in NATO Mike Rogers, former chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, also sees economic pressure on Russia as presenting a “unique opportunity” for Moscow’s help in Syria. Iraq
Turkish Kurds' electoral strategy is a high-wire act Rumors of electoral collusion between the government and the Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP) gain momentum. Syria
Al-Qaeda challenges Islamic State with Paris attack Al-Qaeda's deadly terror attack in Paris may have been an attempt to restate its relevance and effectiveness in its global jihadist struggle with the Islamic State. Near East