US Bombers in the Middle East

The US military sent two B-52H bombers from the United States to the Middle East on Thursday. According to a senior US military official, the act is a message of deterrence to Iran from possible aggressions. With the reduction of US troop numbers in Iraq and the approach of Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Solaimani's death anniversary, risks in the region have increased.

Turkey Rejects EU Approach

Turkey rejected the approach of the European Union at its summit after EU leaders agreed to prepare limited sanctions on Turkish individuals over an energy exploration dispute with Greece and Cyprus, postponing harsher steps till March. Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday, Ankara calls on the EU to act with "principles, strategically and with reason."

Israel-Morocco Normalization

Morocco will be normalizing ties with Israel in a US-brokered deal.
US President Donald Trump tweeted that the "historic" deal is "a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East." The United States will also recognize Morocco's claim over the disputed Western Sahara region, Trump said.

"Person of the Year"

US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris have been jointly named Time Magazine's Person of the Year for 2020. Editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal said, Time Magazine selected the pair " for changing the American story, [...and] for sharing a vision of healing in a grieving world."