Gaza’s exchange shops come under scrutiny The Palestinian Ministry of Economy recently announced the formation of a new oversight committee to monitor the work of exchange shops in the Gaza Strip, in light of the manipulation of currency prices that has been ongoing for many years. Palestine
Worst forecasts become reality as Yemen starves A year and a half of war has pushed Yemen into famine as food insecurity threatens 14 million people, while the fighting parties spend millions on war. Yemen
Does Iranian law consider US a hostile state? Although Iran and the United States have been in a near-constant state of hostility over the past 3½ decades, it is still unclear whether the United States is technically an "enemy state" according to Iranian law. United States
US cool to Russia pause in Aleppo strikes Washington expressed skepticism about Russia’s plan to extend a pause in airstrikes on Aleppo until Nov. 4 so those needing medical care and opposition fighters could leave the city. Syria
Saudis turn to US states in bid to repeal 9/11 bill Riyadh’s latest lobbying push aims to enroll state governors. Saudi Arabia
Egyptians affected by cancer find support, good-natured rivalry A nonprofit association in Egypt, CanSurvive, helps cancer patients and survivors cope with the physical and psychological challenges of living with the disease. Egypt
Iran’s parliament gives green light to Rouhani’s new ministers Iranian media diversely reacted to parliament’s confirming of the new ministers of education, youth affairs and sports, as well as culture and Islamic guidance. Iran
‘Cyrus the Great’ enters Iranian politics The unexpectedly large gathering of devotees of Cyrus the Great in his resting place of Pasargadae on Oct. 28 sparks heated debate in Iran. Iran
Can battle over public broadcasting bring down Netanyahu? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now fighting against the establishment of a new public broadcasting corporation, an entity he himself initiated. Israel
Abadi says 'we are ready' if Turkey wants war As Turkey's behavior grows more erratic and aggressive by the day, the United States is scrambling to head off a dust-up among its anti-Islamic State coalition partners. Iraq
Could megaprojects spell mega trouble for Turkey's economy? Giant infrastructure projects launched by the Turkish government have raised the specter of potentially unpredictable burdens on public finances amid little transparency on loan and demand guarantees provided to private contractors. Turkey
Why Netanyahu and Liberman are boycotting Arab party members Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman have called upon the coalition to boycott parliamentary activities of the Joint List for missing the funeral of former President Shimon Peres, even if they themselves were the late president's bitter rivals. Israel
What's really behind Iraq's new alcohol ban? The Iraqi parliament's ban on the production, import and sale of alcoholic beverages of all kinds has raised a broad protest among religious minorities, individuals and civil societies. Iraq
Will Islamic Jihad reconciliation initiative unite Palestinians? Most Palestinian factions have accepted the initiative launched by Ramadan Shalah, the secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, but will this initiative remain mere ink on paper? Palestine
New generation of jihadis poised to replace IS in Iraq Though the Islamic State is being chased out of Iraq, its disappearance will only herald an upsurge in new militant groups until the conditions that gave it a foothold are a thing of the past. Iraq
Creeping offensives, truces spread tensions in south Syrian rebel ranks Syria's Southern Front forces, which face threats from the Islamic State and the government from various directions, have so far managed to hold their ground in the Daraa area despite government offensives and truces that pressure local communities into agreements with the Assad government. Syria