January 3 – Iran / Iraq
Foreign relations: tensions between the U.S. and Iran
The United States government assassinates Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force and the most powerful military figure in Iran, in a targeted drone strike in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad. The Trump Administration says that Soleimani was planning imminent attacks on Americans and had to be stopped. However, President Donald Trump authorized the killing of Gen. Soleimani months earlier under a condition that Iran’s increased aggression resulted in the death of an American. On December 27, a U.S. contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Air Base in Iraq. The U.S. blamed the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia for the attack.[1] The killing of Soleimani escalates even more tensions between the two countries, with Iran vowing to retaliate.
Who was Qassem Soleimani? (Video, 3:08 min)
(Jan 6): In response to the killing of General Soleimani in Baghdad, the Iraqi parliament votes to expel U.S. troops stationed in Iraq. Some even call for other measures, such as closing the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. There are 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq, at the invitation of the Iraqi government, to help the Iraqis fight ISIS terrorists. But Iraq says that the U.S. had been breaching Iraqi sovereignty. The vote is not legally binding. President Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions.[2]
(Jan 8): In retaliation for Soleimani’s killing, Iran launches more than a dozen ballistic missiles on Iraqi air bases that host US forces. As a result, 64 U.S. soldiers suffer traumatic brain injuries.[3] Two of the missiles mistakenly shot down Ukraine International Airlines passenger plane travelling from Iran to Ukraine, killing all 176 people on board. Most passengers on the plane were from Iran and Canada.[4]
January 18 – Yemen
Civil war
A missile attack on a military training camp in Marib in Yemen is one of the worst single attacks in the country’s five-year-long civil war, killing at least 116 soldiers. The government blames the attack on the Houthi rebels.[5]
Yemen crisis: Why is there a war?
War in Yemen: The conflict has been raging for four years
Video 02:45 min
February 7 – Iran
Global health – Coronavirus, or Covid-19
Dr. Li Wenliang, a Chinese doctor who issued the first warning about the deadly new coronavirus outbreak contracts the virus while working at Wuhan Central Hospital and dies. He had sent out a warning to other doctors on December 30, but the Chinese authorities ordered him to stop “making false comments”.[6]
(Feb 26): The novel coronavirus, now named Covid-19, has been spreading quickly from China to other parts of the world raising fears of global pandemic. China is still the country affected the most, with 77,000 infections and 2,600 deaths. It has built several new hospitals and quarantine centers for infected patients. But the virus has now spread to 30 other countries infecting 1,200 people and killing 20. The worst affected countries right now are South Korea, Japan, Iran, and Italy, where authorities resort to drastic measures to contain and limit the speed of spread of the virus. Around 7,700 troops have been quarantined in South Korea after 11 service members were infected. In Italy, where confirmed cases surged from three to more than 200 in just three days, the government put several small towns on lock-down with their residents not allowed to leave without special permission. It also cancelled many activities, sporting events, and festivals even outside the zone.[7] The United States has 14 confirmed cases so far, some of them unexplained, which raises concerns about the virus spreading within communities.[8] Stock markets fall sharply amid fears of economic impact of the virus. Also, Brazil confirms its first coronavirus case, becoming the first country in Latin America with the outbreak.
(Feb 28): Within just a few days, Iran reports 388 new cases of the illness and 34 deaths, which makes it the country with the highest number of deaths outside China.[9]
More about coronavirus from CDC: source and spread, risk assessment, illness severity Coronavirus and Economic Impact (video: 11:04)
March 2 – Israel
Politics: Third general elections
After continued failure by all parties to form a new government following the April and September 2019 elections, Israel is holding an unprecedented third election within one year. Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud gains a few seats and is the largest party in the parliament (36 seats), followed by Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party (33 seats). However, as before, Likud will need the support of other parties to form a government.[10] If the stalemate continues, Israel will hold a possible fourth election.
(Mar 14): Netanyahu and Gantz, the two rivals who have fought each other in the last three inconclusive elections, agree they want to come to an understanding as the country faces the coronavirus pandemic. They are considering a power-sharing deal that would allow them to rotate the role of prime minister over a four-year term.[11]
More on Israeli third election from NPR
March 26 – Iran / Iraq / Jordan
Global health – Coronavirus, Covid-19
Iran bans inter-city travel, as confirmed coronavirus cases in the country surpass 29,400 and the death toll hits 2,234. Jordan also orders a nationwide curfew, closing all shops indefinitely. The Iraqi government extends a ban on travel in and out of Baghdad, as well as a ban on all flights in and out of the country’s airports, as the number of confirmed cases rise to 233 cases and 20 deaths.[12]
History of Past Pandemics
How the Virus Got Out (graphic presentation)
How South Korea Flattened the Curve
April 4 – Iran / Iraq / Israel / UAE / Saudi Arabia /
Global Health: Coronavirus, or Covid-19
Dubai enters an extended two-week lockdown, as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reports more than 1,500 confirmed coronavirus cases.
(Apr 7): The Israeli government imposes a complete nationwide lockdown over the Jewish Passover holiday.
(Apr 12): Saudi Arabia’s King Salman extends a nationwide curfew indefinitely, as the country’s confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 4,033 with 52 deaths.
(Apr 27): Iran, the worst hit in the Middle East, has more than 91,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and around 5,800 deaths. It announces plans to loosen restrictions in some parts of the country.
(Apr 29): Iraq tightens restriction measures to contain the spread of the virus by expanding its curfew and imposing a fine for not wearing masks or ignoring social distancing.[13]
April 12 – Saudi Arabia
In coordination with the United States, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia, and other allied oil producers in a group known as OPEC Plus agree to reduce their production by 9.7 million barrels a day in May and June, about 10 percent of the world’s output. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic demand for oil worldwide fell by 35 percent. This is the largest production cut ever negotiated in an effort to stabilize the oil prices and help struggling economies in the Middle East and Africa, but also oil companies around the world that employ 10 million workers. Other oil countries outside OPEC, such as Canada, Brazil, Norway, and the United States, have been also cutting production. The oil prices that used to go above $100 a barrel are expected to stay below $40 for some time.[14]
More on how a drop in oil prices caused by the Covid-19 pandemic affects various economies
May 13 – Middle East
Global health – coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Some Middle Eastern countries, such as Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates with Dubai as its business and tourism hub, begin easing strict social-distancing measures by reopening public parks and allowing hotel guests to access private beaches. Mosques, cinemas and nightclubs, however, remain closed.
(May 18): Kuwait announces that people who don’t cover their nose and mouth in public face jail time for up to three months and a fine of a up to $16,000.
(May 21): A huge spike in coronavirus cases in the Middle East, where many were observing the Islamic month of Ramadan, lead countries to extend and reinforce lockdown measures to prevent its spread during the Eid holiday.[15]
June 4 – Middle East
Global Health: coronavirus, or COVID-19
Iran reported over 3,000 new cases of coronavirus in each of the past two days, raising fears about a second spike.
(Jun 5): Israel is forced to close 87 schools and kindergartens, shortly after reopening, after a COVID-19 outbreak swept through classrooms. More than 244 students and school staff tested positive for the virus, while more than 6,800 have been ordered to quarantine at home. The government introduces a new policy that orders schools where a virus emerges to close.[16]
Our new normal in pictures
When Covid Subsided, Israel Reopened Its Schools
June 9 – Bahrain
Opposition
Bahrain releases from jail Nabeel Rajab, the country’s main human rights activist. In 2016, he was sentenced to five years in prison for criticizing on Twitter alleged torture at a Bahraini prison and the actions of the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen’s civil war. The government accused him of spreading “fake news”, criticizing the government on social media, and “insulting a foreign country”. Human rights groups condemned Rajab’s treatment and a United Nations panel has called for his release. Rajab will serve the remainder of his sentence in a non-custodial setting.[17]
June 11 – Syria
Anti-government protests
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad sacks Prime Minister Imad Khamis amid worsening economic crisis in Syria that has triggered anti-government protests. The protests started with demands of better living conditions, but quickly turned into calls for the Assad regime to step down. The Assad government blames Western sanctions for the fall of the value of Syria’s currency, which has led to soaring prices. The protesters also call for an end to corruption and the withdrawal of Iran-backed militiamen and Russian troops that helped the Syrian government regain control of most of Syria.[18]
July 8 – Middle East
Global Health: Coronavirus, or Covid-19
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there are more than one million coronavirus cases across the 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, stretching from Morocco to Pakistan. More than 80 percent of all deaths in the region were reported in five countries: Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Qatar, the energy-rich Gulf state with a population of about 2.8 million people, has one of the world’s highest per capita numbers of confirmed cases. These cases spread mainly among low-income migrant workers (only about 12 percent of Qatar’s population are Qatari nationals) who live in crowded quarters and cannot leave the country due to movement restrictions.[19]
August 4 – Lebanon
Explosions, protests, and government resignation
Two enormous explosions of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at the port in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, kill at least 154 people and injure more than 5,000. They also wipe out entire neighborhoods in the city leaving tens of thousands homeless and causing property damage estimated at billions of dollars. The ammonium nitrate, a chemical used in fertilizer and bombs, had been stored there for six years without safety measures. Many Lebanese blame Lebanon’s leaders for the blast accusing them of negligence and corruption.[20]
Protests
Outrage over the blasts spark massive anti-government protests across Lebanon, becoming yet another demonstration in a series of protests over economic collapse, mismanagement and corruption in the country’s ruling elite that have been going on since 2019. The protests become violent when demonstrators clash with security forces. Angry protesters storm three government ministries demanding the government to resign.[21]
(Aug 10): Due to mounting pressure, Prime Minister Hassan Diab announces the resignation of his government.[22]
The Beirut Explosions in Photos
August 9 – Iran
China-Iran Partnership
A leaked document shows that China and Iran are entering into a 25-year strategic partnership in trade, politics, culture, and security. China will invest in Iranian infrastructure, transport and seaports, while Iran will provide China with steady supplies of discounted oil and gas. For sanctions-hit Iran, this cooperation ensures the flow of cash into its economy. For China, with its growing influence in East Asia an Africa, this partnership allows China to play more active role in the Middle East, challenging the United States interests and undermining its influence in the region.[23]
More on the China-Iran partnership and its implications
September 4 – Israel
Serbia and Kosovo agree to normalize their economic relations as part of U.S.-brokered talks. The deal covers a range of economic activities, including investment, creation of jobs, as well as rail, road, and air cooperation. In addition to the economic deal, Serbia agrees to move its Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Also, Israel and Kosovo agree to mutual diplomatic recognition.[24]
September 9 – Iraq
The U.S. military is reducing the number of its troops in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000 during this month, saying the Iraqi military is now capable of carrying out independent operations against the remnants of the terrorist group, ISIS. The U.S., however will continue advising and assisting the Iraqis. About 500 U.S. troops still remain in Syria and 8,600 in Afghanistan.[25]
U.S. active-duty military presence overseas in the last 60 years
September 15 – Israel / United Arab Emirates
Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sign a U.S.-brokered peace agreement at the White House (agreed earlier on August 13) that normalizes relations between the two countries. This makes the UAE the third Arab country (after Egypt and Jordan) to restore a relationship with Israel.
The deal known as the Abraham Accord
As part of this agreement, both countries will exchange ambassadors and cooperate on investment, commerce, tourism, and military. They also resume direct commercial flights. Israel, on its part agrees to temporarily suspend plans to annex the West Bank. Palestinians denounce the deal calling it “a betrayal of Jerusalem” and announce an immediate withdrawal of their Ambassador to the UAE. The deal has been also condemned by Iran.[26]
Five reasons why Israel’s peace deals with the UAE and Bahrain matter
November 10 – Israel
Morocco and Israel relations
According to a deal brokered by the United States, Morocco agrees to normalize relations with Israel, making it the fourth state to agree to a deal with Israel in recent months. The other three countries are United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. Morocco agrees to resume diplomatic relations with Israel and expand mutual economic and cultural cooperation. In exchange, the United States will recognize Morocco’s claim over the Western Sahara region and open a consulate there. While renewing its relations with Israel, Morocco promises to continue its support for the Palestinian cause, including a two-state solution.[27]
December 10 – Israel
Foreign relations
Morocco is the fourth Arab country to begin normalizing relations with Israel under accords brokered by the United States. Both sides will reopen liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv (rather than embassies or consulates). They will also expand economic and cultural cooperation. In return the U.S. will recognize the Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a long-disputed territory.[28] Palestinian officials condemn the agreement, saying it encourages Israel’s denial of their rights. Morocco, however, reaffirms that it is still committed to the Palestinian cause.
More about the consequences of the U.S. recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara
December 22 – Israel
Politics
After weeks of infighting, the Israeli government collapses and the parliament dissolves itself after failing to approve a budget. This means that on May 23, Israel will hold a fourth election in two years. The current government will remain in place until after the election and the formation of a new government, a process that could take many months.[29]
More about the collapse of the Israeli government
December 28 – Saudi Arabia
Women’s Rights
Saudi Arabia sentences a 31-year old prominent women’s’ rights activist, Loujain al-Hathloul, to more than five years in prison. One of the causes that she championed was to bring a change to allow women to drive. She was jailed in 2018 and now convicted of various charges including undermining the kingdom, trying to harm national security, and an advance a foreign agenda.[30] International human rights groups have repeatedly called for her release. According to Amnesty International (AI), Loujain al-Hathloul has been denied regular contact with her family and access to a lawyer. There are also reports that she has been tortured including electric shocks, whippings, and sexual harassment. The AI also says that this flawed trial is “yet another sign that Saudi Arabia’s claims of reform on human rights are a farce.”[31]
Saudi Arabia reforms: Are they good news for women? – (video 3:09 min) BBC News
The best and worst countries for women