Explainer From Oct. 7 inquiry to blocking Netanyahu: Eisenkot's bloc maps out Knesset agenda Israel's opposition to advance anti-Netanyahu government measures as soon as Knesset convenes Tuesday, without waiting for a new cabinet to take shape. Israel
Slotkin, Van Hollen emerge as potential challengers to Schumer’s Senate leadership A growing number of Democrats are calling for new leadership in the Senate to replace Schumer, arguing that the party needs a leader who better reflects its generational and ideological shift to the left. United States
Massie introduces impeachment articles against Hegseth over Iran war House Democrats are on board with voting to impeach the Pentagon chief, but it's not clear how many Republicans will break with the White House's public messaging. United States
France blames Iran for supermarket fridge hack, seeks EU sanctions French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday blamed Iran for the October cyberattack that disabled refrigeration at supermarkets across France. Iran
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
US, Russia stall Turkey's ground operation, but Kurdish gains under threat The Russian and US policies of appeasing Turkey have averted a new Turkish ground operation in Syria for now, but they both lay the ground for a gradual undoing of Kurdish gains in the north. Turkey
The Takeaway: Tunisia's Saied visits US, days before controversial elections Plus, Iran is expelled from a United Nations women's rights body and Morocco's underdog team is knocked out of the World Cup. Tunisia
Iran removed from UN women’s rights body after US push Iran's removal from the 45-member Commission on the Status of Women comes as Tehran continues its brutal crackdown on its nationwide protests. Iran
Turkey, insurers reach deal to end oil tanker logjam Ankara’s standoff with international insurers, which has created a line of crude oil tankers near the Turkish straits, ends with agreed wording on an insurance letter demanded by Turkey. Turkey
Fate of Iran soccer player unclear as he faces risk of execution Iranian prosecutors are seeking to send Amir Reza Nasr Azadani to the gallows, as the Islamic Republic defiantly presses ahead with death sentences for protesters. Iran
Iran says Ukraine failed to prove drone claims Tehran continued to dig in heels over deliveries of Iranian drones to Russia and accused Ukraine of making "baseless" claims. Iran
Israel excluded from Ukraine's solidarity conference in Paris While Israel has offered humanitarian aid since the start of the conflict, Ukraine’s president has been strongly pushing for weapons and Iron Dome anti-missile batteries. Israel
Biden rebooting relations with Africa at summit, ahead of 2023 visit Countries in the region have received little attention from US officials in the run-up to the meeting, as Washington neglected the continent and is lagging in its influence compared to Russia and China. Egypt
Erdogan touts potential gas deal ahead of Turkmenistan summit At Wednesday's summit in Turkmenistan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is eyeing a gas deal that would extend into Europe. Turkey
Morocco's win at World Cup reopens Lebanon's civil war wounds Lebanon's former prime minister calls for calm amid sectarian clashes in Beirut following Morocco's win against Portugal. Lebanon
Analysis Africa seeks GCC-like economic trust at US summit Since the United States' last summit of its kind in 2014, US foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa dropped from $69 billion to $44.81 billion in 2021. By Salim A. Essaid