Gaza ministry incurs anger by ending import monopoly on commodities Gaza's Ministry of National Economy announced the cancellation of import monopolies on some commodities, but it is unclear whether the decision will decrease the price of goods. Palestine
How these Syrian doctors are helping refugees in Lebanon Amid limited resources, Syrian doctors who fled their country resume their work in Lebanon to provide the refugee population with the necessary medical treatment. Lebanon
Why Israel is pouring cash into this settlement university Israel's academics are outraged that Ariel College-turned-University is receiving more funding than any other university in Israel, most of which are far more reputable institutions. Israel
Why Gazan women are turning to cactus picking Women in the Gaza Strip are harvesting cactus fruit as seasonal jobs to either save for college or help their families in light of the difficult economic conditions. Palestine
Why did Saudi Arabia halt its aid to Palestinian Authority? The Palestinian government announced recently that Saudi Arabia has not been paying its monthly aid to the Palestinian Authority since April, which will negatively affect the economy. Gulf
Kirkuk officials deny displacing Arabs in anti-IS operation Kirkuk province officials have denied a UN report that internally displaced Sunni Iraqis in the city of Kirkuk have been expelled after the recent attack by the Islamic State, though the governor warns, "They cannot stay here forever." Iraq
Will Obama push for UN settlement-freeze resolution? US President Barack Obama wants to leave a practical legacy to his successor in the form of a Security Council resolution rejecting West Bank settlements, yet this might have to wait if Hilary Clinton wins the presidential elections. Palestine
Jordan seeks US government's help in fight against terror finance lawsuit The Jordanian Embassy has hired Hogan Lovells to lobby the US government over a billion-dollar lawsuit against Jordan’s biggest bank. Jordan
Turkey's new 'Erdogan Doctrine' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aggressive foreign and security policies are coalescing into a clear doctrine of pre-emptive action that he seems to be using both to drum up domestic support and for leverage in negotiations with the West. Turkey
Turkey's post-coup crackdown reaches media giants The few remaining opposition newspapers still able to report on Turkey's economic floundering are losing their own foreign investors in a dramatic demonstration of the trend the ruling Turkish party is trying to suppress. Turkey
Anti-US talk dominates Iranian media on anniversary of hostage crisis Across Iran, solemn speeches on the anniversary of the 1979 US Embassy takeover praised Tehran's defiance and expressed reservations about engaging with Washington. United States
Netanyahu's happiness industry Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech at the opening of the Knesset's 2016 winter session was focused on the wonderful situation of Israeli citizens while ignoring the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and growing disparities within Israeli society. Israel
What recent Houthi moves in Red Sea mean for Israel Houthi assaults against US and UAE vessels should indicate to Israel that control of Red Sea waters might be at stake. Saudi Arabia
Tensions flare between Hezbollah, Gulf states Analysts say Hezbollah has made a sharp pivot toward confrontation with Gulf states, in part as a result of its alliance with Iran. Gulf
Gaza students buy their way into graduation The Ministry of Education and Higher Education in the Gaza Strip warned companies, offices, libraries and others against selling ready-made academic research papers and projects for undergraduate and graduate students in a recent statement. Palestine
How political struggles are blurring Israel's national memory Israel's love for its assassinated heroes is proving fickle, with Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s legacy of peace diminishing by the year while the right builds up that of far-right tourism minister Rehavam Ze’evi. Israel
