Is Israel in cahoots with Saudi Arabia? Israel and Saudi Arabia feel that the United States is playing a bad hand in its negotiating with Iran, trying to offer more and more compromises while Iran isn't budging. Israel
Netanyahu neutralizes rivals with Cabinet appointments In distributing ministerial portfolios, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is employing his well-worn strategy of eliminating the possibility of any Likud member having a chance to increase their popularity. Israel
Egypt sets tourism target for 2020 The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism is seeking to attract 20 million tourists by 2020 following setbacks in the sector due to security and political instability. Egypt
Egyptian law could imprison refugees, asylum seekers Egypt is in close coordination with Europe and is moving in the direction to clamp down on irregular migrants and human smugglers who would be criminalized for the first time in Egyptian law should the said migration law be implemented. Egypt
Hamas-Fatah divide cripples Palestine’s judiciary Efforts to reach a reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah have failed, and the dichotomy separating judiciaries in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is growing. Palestine
Investors remain wary of Gaza A recent conference of investors landed six projects for the West Bank, but none for Gaza because of the risk involved. Palestine
Babil’s Jewish shrine, mosque share space The tomb of the Prophet Ezekiel, located next to a mosque in Kifl, Babil, is a site of both controversy and religious coexistence. Iraq
What's driving Pope Francis' Middle East diplomacy? Pope Francis' push for Palestinian statehood is part of a series of bold initiatives to preserve the region's rich religious mosaic. Palestine
Iran’s new strategy in Syria Iran and its allies, such as Hezbollah, seem to be getting more involved in the Syrian civil war. Iraq
IAEA comments on military sites strike nerve in Iran Iran's hard-liners have rejected a call by the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency for Iran to allow inspections of military sites. Iran
No questions asked about Turkey's suitcases full of cash Pundits fear that the new Customs Code will turn Turkey into a haven for money launderers and terror financiers. Turkey
Iran's Rezaei returns to his military roots The former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has left behind politics to lead a new generation of military officers. Iran
Holocaust's use as political tool divides Israelis Alongside a serious discourse in Israel on the Holocaust, there also exists a populist discourse that makes use of the Holocaust to the point of seeming contempt. Israel
Services improve under IS in Mosul Some say there is a silver lining to the Islamic State’s takeover of Mosul in Iraq, namely an improvement in services, in an apparent attempt by the group to gain legitimacy and garner the support of Mosul residents. Iraq
Muslims, Christians clash over 'Martyrs' Church' construction Pending an official ruling on laws governing the building of churches in Egypt, local religious communities have taken matters into their own hands, underscoring tensions between Christians and Muslims in the country. Egypt
Israeli High Court authorizes Jerusalem Day march Despite objections, the Israeli High Court has authorized right-wing activists to hold the annual Jerusalem Day Flag Parade. Palestine
