Egypt's Shoukry holds talks with Lavrov in Russia, a day after meeting Blinken Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry delivered a message from the United States to his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Russia's war in Ukraine, according to an Egyptian media report. Egypt
Saudi GDP grows 8.7% in 2022 due to oil, non-oil growth One credit-rating agency said Saudi Arabia’s GDP growth will slow down in 2023. Gulf
Iran arrests 4 Sunni clerics, bans filmmaker from travel Sunni clerics criticizing the Islamic Republic's heavy-handed response to protests were the latest to be placed in the crosshairs of the Iranian authorities, who are scrambling to crush the months-long unrest. Iran
OPEC+ likely to maintain oil output at meeting, in gesture to US While the OPEC+ group is expected to maintain oil production at its virtual meeting set for Feb. 1, global demand for oil is estimated to reach a record high in 2023. Gulf
Senator Van Hollen says no F-16s for Turkey if Sweden, Finland not admitted to NATO The Democratic senator also discussed concerns about Israel’s new government, China’s inroads in the Gulf and more at the Al-Monitor PRO event. Turkey
First-ever Islamic Arts Biennale held in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah The landmark event aimed to celebrate Islamic culture amid the kingdom’s cultural expansion. Gulf
US, Israel closer to signing visa waiver as Netanyahu rushes to finish line To enter the coveted program, the prime minister's coalition will have to facilitate the traveling of American Palestinians and American Israeli-Arabs between the West Bank and the US. Israel
Blinken announces $50M to UNRWA, no timeframe on consulate for Palestinians During a trip to the West Bank on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he saw a "shrinking horizon of hope” for Palestinians. Palestine
Middle East corruption rankings: Syria most corrupt, UAE least, Turkey slipped Corruption remains rampant across the Middle East and North Africa, Transparency International reports, with the region’s average score in combating corruption hitting a new low of 38. Turkey
Despite US-Israel proximity on Iran, Netanyahu not off hook on Palestinians In his meeting with the US secretary of state, Prime Minister Netanyahu wanted to focus on Iran, but was faced with American criticism on judicial overhaul and the Palestinians. Israel
