Erdogan's shifting rationale on Syria Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's latest rationale for Turkish forces entering northern Syria point to a long-term engagement. Syria
Israel's Knesset dominated by extremist bills Despite the objection of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Settlement Regularization bill, and despite the objection of President Reuven Rivlin to the law against the muezzin call, the right-wing camp advances both law proposals in the Knesset. Israel
Castro’s death elicits mixed coverage in Iranian media Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s death has drawn varied reactions from politicians, commentators and media in Iran. Iran
Turkish companies flout law for cheap Syrian labor Unemployment in Turkey has reached 11.3%, and Syrian refugees have become a convenient scapegoat. Syria
Erdogan comes face to face with US, Russia in Syria Turkey may have gone into Syria to push back Syrian Kurds, but it now finds itself confronting both Russia and the United States. Syria
Why jailed founders of Egyptian youth movement have not been pardoned The youth pardon committee set up by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has not recommended the release of three young political activists who participated in Egypt’s revolutions. Egypt
Jordan, Fatah’s Achilles’ heel Jordan is perhaps Fatah’s most strategic geographic partner, and thus it was a no-brainer that Fatah accepted the request by Jordan not to have any Jordanian Palestinian delegates attend the seventh Fatah congress. Palestine
How Trump can deal with Iran-GCC conflict Looking ahead, the election of Donald Trump can pave the way for the establishment of initiatives to jump-start a dialogue between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council. Gulf
Dahlan loyalists announce alternative Fatah conference As Fatah convenes its leadership conference today, excluded leader Mohammed Dahlan and his current have promised to hold a parallel conference. Palestine
Lebanon halts work as Palestinians reject wall around refugee camp The Lebanese government’s decision to build a wall at the southern Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh sparks angry reactions from Palestinian factions. Palestine
Iraq wrangling with $26.6 billion budget deficit The parliament is studying Iraq’s controversial 2017 budget this week, with the main challenges coming from a significant deficit and disagreements over allocations. Iraq
IS cells lurking in Iraq's Anbar continue to strike liberated areas Perhaps in retaliation for its successive defeats by the Iraqi army and despite wide efforts to maintain security, the Islamic State is still bombing areas recently liberated from its control. Iraq
Why Israel is closely following Fatah convention As Fatah starts its convention Nov. 29, Israeli intelligence sources warn that the Palestinian youth might turn their anger over the corrupt Palestinian political system to Israel. Palestine
Battle of the generations kicks off in Hamas Young Hamas members are raising their voices against the deteriorating political and economic situation in the Gaza Strip and rejecting ideas by some of their leaders that are inconsistent with their line of thought, as if the era of full compliance with commands is over. Palestine
Egyptian women trample stereotypes with first American football league American flag football is growing in popularity in Egypt, especially among women. Egypt
Qatar steps up its involvement in Tunisia with investment conference The Arab Spring’s nascent democracy is the latest theater where Gulf state rivalries are playing out. United Arab Emirates
