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Iran-Saudi ties

Iran and Saudi Arabia are moving quickly to build on their recent rapprochement. Their respective foreign ministers have now agreed to meet in the upcoming days. The agreement came during a spate of recent phone calls between the two top diplomats. The Iranian foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the positive trend in bilateral relations. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian underscored Iran’s determination to expand its policy of good neighborly relations. The Saudi foreign minister also hailed the current direction of bilateral ties. Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stressed the need for regular meetings and contact between the two country’s officials. Iran and Saudi Arabia signed a Chinese-brokered deal last month to normalize relations seven years after they were severed. They agreed to re-open their diplomatic missions within two months after signing the deal.

Israeli settler militia

The Israeli cabinet has authorized setting up a so-called national guard proposed by far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to deal with Palestinian resistance groups. A statement from the prime minister’s office says a committee comprised of different agencies would submit their recommendation on the new force within 90 days. It was not immediately clear who would have direct authority over the force. But Benjamin Netanyahu’s political rivals have accused him of setting up a quote sectarian militia. Israel's police chief in a letter to Ben-Gvir has also expressed misgivings about the plan. Ben-Gvir has been at the forefront of supporting terrorism and incitement against the Palestinians. Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas condemned Israel’s plan to form the settler militia. Hamas said the move is to intensify the crackdown on Palestinians in the occupied territories.

French reporters expelled 

Burkina Faso’s military government continues cracking down on media and reporters from the country’s former colonial master, France. The junta running the African country has expelled two women correspondents from Le Monde and Liberation dailies. The junta has not cited any reason but Le Monde denounced the move as arbitrary and unacceptable. Recently, Burkina Faso also suspended France 24 broadcasts after the channel aired an interview with an al-Qaeda leader. In December, it also suspended Radio France Internationale accusing it of airing a message of intimidation attributed to a terrorist chief. Earlier this year, France ended its military presence in Burkina Faso following the government’s demand and amid growing anti-French sentiments in the country.

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