(2021-01-11). Overwhelmed hospitals in Lebanon forced to treat Covid patients in cars. middleeasteye.net 
Overwhelmed hospitals in Lebanon forced to treat Covid patients in cars | The country has seen a surge in coronavirus in recent weeks, with many angry at the lax rules over Christmas | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 13: 41 | Patients in Beirut are treated in their cars, after a hospital ran out of beds (Screengrab/Facebook) | A video from Lebanon showing queues of patients waiting outside a hospital and being treated…
(2021-01-11). US begins process to establish consulate in disputed Western Sahara. middleeasteye.net 
US begins process to establish consulate in disputed Western Sahara | American ambassador to Morocco makes visit to Western Sahara port city of Dakhla | Mon, 01/11/2021 – 15: 29 | The US recognised Rabat's claim to Western Sahara on same day Morocco announced it would normalise ties with Israel (AFP) | The United States ambassador to Morocco began the process of establishing a consulate in the disputed territo…
(2021-01-11). Syrian Refugees Excluded from Lebanese Labor Market. counterpunch.org 
When the civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, many Syrians fled across the western border to Lebanon. Thousands now live in Arsal, a remote town in the Bekaa valley, not far from the Syrian border. Lebanon, a country of 6 million, hosts a large refugee population estimated at 1.5 million. As the economic
(2021-01-11). End of the Saudi Blockade of Qatar: Will Syria Benefit from the "Renewed Gulf Unity"? globalresearch.ca With an end to the Qatar blockade and a possible rapprochement with Turkey, Saudi Arabia may soon move towards reconciliation with Syria. | The Persian Gulf states' opposition to Iran's role in the region, while limiting Turkey's influence, may bring Saudi …
(2021-01-11). Bolivia and Spain Re-Establish Diplomatic Relations. telesurenglish.net Bolivia's President Luis Arce on Monday received the credentials of Spain's Ambassador Francisco Gasso, thus putting an end to diplomatic tensions experienced since the U.S.-backed coup led by Jeanine Añez in 2019. | RELATED: | The appointment of the Spanish ambassador comes after several months without diplomatic relations between both countries as a result of the expulsion of the Charge d'Affaires and Consul officers in De…
(2021-01-11). Biden Chooses Iran Nuclear Deal Negotiator as His CIA Director. telesurenglish.net After serving as ambassador to Russia, Burns led the Obama administration's negotiations with Iran to reach the historic nuclear deal in 2015. | Burns currently serves as the president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, an international think-tank. | RELATED: | If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first career diplomat to serve in…
(2021-01-10). Iran nuclear deal: What happens next? peoplesdispatch.org Former Indian Ambassador M.K. Bhadrakumar and Newsclick's Prabir Purkayastha discuss what lies ahead in West Asia as a new US administration takes charge. Will the US return to following the provisions of the Iran nuclear deal? How are relations between key players in West Asia likely to develop? What will be the role of the United States?
(2021-01-09). Pompeo Says Lifting US 'Self-Imposed Restrictions' on Relations With Taiwan. sputniknews.com The news comes as US Ambassador to the United Nations Kelly Craft is set to visit China's Taiwan on January 13-15, where she is expected to meet with senior diplomats.
(2021-01-08). More War by Other Means: Sanctioning the Wife of Syria's President Makes No Sense to Anyone. globalresearch.ca I am a recipient of regular, usual weekly, emails from the Department of the Treasury providing an "Update to OFAC's list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons." OFAC is the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which is tasked …