Even before Brexit, Britain and the European Union had an often troubled history.

The Gulf crisis, which has pitted regional players against Qatar, could be moving closer to resolution as the key countries prepare to meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

So far, the large majority of British and EU citizens have not felt the realities of Brexit. Though the U.K. left the European Union on Jan. 31, it follows the bloc's rules until the end of this year as part of a transition period to the new economic relationship.

Covid and a traumatic presidential election left the US reeling in 2020, but even with Donald Trump gone and Joe Biden promising to heal the nation there'll be no quick return to normal in 2021.

Despite London and Brussels reaching a trade deal to limit the fallout of Brexit the flow of people and goods across the Channel will change significantly on January 1, when Britain's departure from the EU becomes complete.

Israel faces yet another election as the Covid-19 pandemic rages, a new U.S. president is set to take power and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a corruption trial.

Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and advisor, visits Morocco on Tuesday on the first commercial flight from Israel to seal ties between the two countries.

As countries across the Middle East grappled with the coronavirus pandemic, many also had to contend with long-running conflicts, economic crises and mass protests in another chaotic year for the volatile region.

The most devastating single event in the region was neither war-related, nor a claimed terrorist attack, but an explosion in Beirut's port caused by the detonation of a stockpile of explosive chemicals that had been improperly stored there for years.

In Palestinian refugee camps in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, some residents are preparing weapons for a potential power struggle when President Mahmud Abbas finally leaves the stage.

Outgoing British Ambassador to Lebanon Chris Rampling has criticized Lebanon’s leaders for their lack of “responsibility” in the face of the country’s multiple crises, in an op-ed marking the end of his tenure in Lebanon.

Below is the full text of the op-ed: