BBC News, The Independent, The Guardian and The Economist reflect on the Arab Spring on its 10^th anniversary. BBC Newsfeatures a video highlighting the 10 defining moments of the movement. Borzou Daragahi argues in The Independent that while there was hope for change in Tunisia much of that has faded and the country is now dealing with “economic stagnancy, persistent corruption, and stark political and cultural polarization.” The Guardian examines what change the revolution has brought and whether the sacrifice of so many was worth it. The Economist notes that “The region is less free than it was in 2010—and worse off by most other measures, too.”

BBC News reports that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have begun their large scale vaccination initiative. Saudi health minister Taqfiq Rabiah was among the first pepole to receive the Pfizer vaccine, and called the vaccination “the start of a breakthrough in the crisis.” Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was giving the vaccine earlier in the week.

The Telegraph and The Independent report that a British man in the United States has been jailed for over two years after attempting to smuggle industrial equipment to Iran, violating the US embargo on Iran. The man was arrested in August when he attempted to ship out at $500,000 turbine core engine that could be used to provide energy to Iran’s oil fields. US prosecutors said “The Iranian embargo is directly related to the national security of the United States, and by attempting to evade that embargo [he] and his fellow conspirators placed this nation directly at risk.”

The Associated Press reports that new satellite photographs show that Iran has begun new construction at its underground nuclear facility at Fordo. Iran has not acknowledged any new construction and the purpose of it remains unclear.

BBC News reports that the US will soon charge Libyan national Abu Agila Mohammad Masud over his involvement in the Lockerbie bombing. Masud is currently being held in Libya and the US will soon seek his extradition to stand trial in the US. He is suspected of making the bomb that blew up Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988.

BBC News reports that a Moroccan man who tried to carry out an attack on a high speed train between Paris and Brussels was sentenced to life in prison by a French court. Ayoub el-Khazzani boarded the train with a Kalashnkov and pistol but when his gun failed to fire was overpowered by fellow passengers, including two off duty American soldiers. Three other men were found guilty of helping el-Khazzani and were issued sentences of seven to 27 years.

Reuters reports on the growing differences between the United States and France in their approach to Lebanon, especially relating to Hezbollah. France maintains that Hezbollah’s elected arms has a legitimate political role, but the US has imposed sanctions on leading Lebanese politicians allied to Hezbollah and threatened more measures if Hezbollah were part of the government. International organisations and donors will find it difficult to give Lebanon the money it needs without US backing. France, scrambling to show some foreign policy success, will find it increasingly difficult to make a difference in Lebanon given its differences with the US on this issues.

The Economist reports on Iran’s abduction and execution of journalist Ruhollah Zam. Zam was a well known Iranian dissident who fled the regime in 2011 and launched his own Telegram news channel which at its peak had more subscribers that BBC’sPersian service. He was very active during the nationwide protests three years ago and explicitly called for regime change. Zam was kidnapped by regime forces in Iraq last year, after being lured there by an apparent honey trap. His abduction and execution show that “that the regime will stop at nothing to crush civil society.”

The Israeli media reports on a recent interview given by Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz to the Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat paper. Gantz said he could not see peace across the Middle East without also resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Gantz also said that while Jerusalem must remain a united city, there was room for a Palestinian capital in it. Israel Hayom notes that his remarks were criticised from politicians on the right. Jerusalem Affairs and Heritage Minister Rafi Peretz said: “United Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people, and isn’t anyone else’s capital.” Minister Zeev Elkin said: “Benny, you’re confused. There isn’t room in united Jerusalem for a Palestinian capital. There neither is nor will there ever be. Simply: no!” MK Bezalel Smotrich said: “Jerusalem will continue to be the united capital of the State of Israel, and it alone, and there isn’t going to be any room in it for the capital of any other state, which in any event is never going to be established, even long after Benny Gantz and his party have disappeared from the State of Israel’s political landscape.” Habithonistim, a right-wing group composed of retired officers and security officials, went so far as to call for his resignation.

All the Israeli media note that the Health Ministry has confirmed 2,809 new coronavirus cases yesterday. The death toll stands at 3,050. There are currently 22,258 patients, 419 are in serious condition in hospital, with 105 on ventilators. All the papers note Prime Minister Netanyahu and Health Minister Edelstein will receive the vaccination on Saturday night in a live broadcast in order to serve as personal examples and encourage the public at large to be vaccinated. Citizens over 60 and those at risk can already book their appointments to be vaccinated from next week. According  Kan Radio News by the middle of next year, enough vaccines will have been brought to Israel for 7.4 million people and by the end of next year, there will be enough vaccines for 12.5 million.

Yediot Ahronot profiles the new UN envoy to the Middle East. Earlier this week the UN Security Council approved the appointment of Norwegian diplomat Tor Wennesland, replacing Nikolay Mladenov, who held the position over the past six years. Wennesland is an experienced diplomat who served as the assistant of Norwegian official Terje Rød-Larsen, one of the architects of the Oslo Accords, and has been involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since 1993. He is due to begin his post next month. Wennesland also served as adviser to Tony Blair during his time as the region’s envoy for the Middle East Quartet. In recent years Wennesland has served as an emissary to the Middle East for Norway, which is one of the largest states contributing to the Palestinian Authority. Last year he reportedly was scheduled to meet with Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar – though the meeting was eventually cancelled. According to the paper “While certain Israeli diplomats say Wennesland’s approach may be less pro-Israeli than that of his predecessor, they emphasise he is a “fair” and experienced diplomat who understands Israelis very well, which could prove useful during potential negotiations with Hamas.”

Haaretz reports on a rare decision by Israel’s West Bank military court to pay compensation for false arrests. The military court ruled that an underage Palestinian who was wrongfully detained for 13 days should be paid a total of 975 NIS, the maximum allowed under military laws. The paper notes that by comparison, the state paid much larger sums in compensation over the false arrest of Jewish minors: 6,500 NIS for a Jewish minor arrest and held overnight; 7,500 NIS for a minor harassed and falsely detained by the police.

Haaretz reports on the latest cyberattack on at least 80 Israeli firms. The attack is led by a group called Pay2Key and experts say the attack is a form of ideologically driven cybercrime. While previous cyberattacks were indirectly liked to Iran, this most recent one was deemed to be Iranian-backed from the onset. Unlike previous attacks, this one is said to have financial motives which further blurs the lines between hacktivism and cybercrime. Leader cybersecurity experts say this Iranian attack has been “in the works for months and is only growing and continuing to inflict damage on the Israeli market.”

Israel Hayom reports that Israel and Jewish groups have slammed the EU over the European Court of Justice ruling that is seems as outlawing Jewish kosher and Muslin halal traditions. The ruling said that national authorities can order mandatory stunning for animals before slaughter. Animal rights activists argue the measure would reduce the suffering of livestock. Israel’s Foreign Ministry denounced the ruling as “sending a harsh message to all European Jewry.” The statement read: “Beyond the fact that this decision harms the freedom of worship and religion in Europe, a core value of the EU, it also signals to Jewish communities that the Jewish way of life is unwanted in Europe. It is important that a way is found to change the decision and enable Jewish EU citizens to hold Jewish practices.”

Israel Hayom reports on the launch of the Israeli Omani Friendship society, an organisation aiming to foster bilateral economic and cultural relations between Oman and Israel. The group’s ultimate goal is to build these ties ahead of full bilateral relations. The group’s leaders, Andrey Kogan and Elad Amar, highlighted how important Israeli water technology could be to Oman, a country deeply invested in agriculture.