Congress eyes Syrian refugee threat — from Canada A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 1. Israel
Should armed groups allied with al-Qaeda be included in Syria peace talks? Our answer is no; Erekat’s “main priority is not to allow IS to raise its flag in Palestine”; Turkey responds to Biden with fake news. Palestine
Is Turkey the odd man out as Egypt, Greece, Cyprus cozy up? Cairo, Athens and Nicosia are busy forging cooperation pacts. Egypt
Will sanctions prompt Iran to boost missile program? Washington’s imposition of new missile sanctions on Iran a mere day after the implementation of the nuclear deal appears to have caused a backlash. Congress
Will Syrian regime's advances on the ground strengthen their position in Geneva? In line with its policy of closing borders and cutting off supply routes, the Syrian regime has launched an offensive on the town of Hirbnafsah on the border between Homs and Hama a few days before Geneva III. Syria
New transportation project aims to get the West Bank moving The West Bank is preparing to carry out the ORIO project that aims to develop a fleet of public buses, which will be a quantum leap in Palestine’s public transportation system. Palestine
Uber drives a wedge between Bibi and Israel's transportation minister The dispute between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz over approving the entrance of ride-sharing app Uber to the Israeli market revealed a power struggle between the two men. Israel
Palestinian women increasingly targeted online The rise in social media in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been accompanied by an increase in cybercrime, but many women are reluctant to report it. Palestine
Who's to blame for recent kidnappings in Iraq? Many foreign diplomats and workers have been kidnapped in Iraq by armed gangs that have been spreading in the absence of security measures, which could damage diplomatic representation. Saudi Arabia
How Palestinian media contributes to cycle of incitement Young Palestinians are being influenced by misleading video clips aired on the PA's official TV network, presenting those who attack Israelis as victims. Palestine
Iraq struggles to combat evolving terrorist threat The Islamic State has developed a new way to conduct its terror operations, while the Iraqi government is unable to prevent security breaches. Iraq
Pro-Israel groups split over Obama's West Bank labeling requirements New guidance from the US Customs agency warns that it will be cracking down on settlement goods that say "Made in Israel." Palestine
Under pressure from Turkey, UN excludes PYD from Syria talks Turkey has won the battle over the Syrian Kurdish nationalist Democratic Union Party by blackmailing the United States into leaving the group out of the Geneva III talks. Syria
Will Egypt be able to dredge up support for new Suez canal? Officials say they are confident the new Suez Canal will be a moneymaker, but they’re working hard to promote it with an eye on its competition. Egypt
Will Iranians be able to increase voter turnout in the next election? Even though Iran's Reformist movement suffered a huge setback during the election qualification process, Reformist leaders are encouraging members to cast their votes. Iran
Cinema returns to Gaza after long absence As film theaters have been closed in Gaza since the 1987 intifada, movie directors are launching personal initiatives to try and revive the film industry and cinema in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
