Why do Turks blame the West for PKK terror? Conspiracy theories aside, Turks can be forgiven for thinking that Western support for Syrian Kurds is essentially support for the Turkish Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
Getting ahead in Hamas: It helps to have street cred Young people are finding it difficult to move up the ranks in Hamas, as senior positions are usually reserved for prominent figures such as religious scholars, parliament members and those who have earned their stripes in Israeli prisons. Palestine
Ankara points fingers as civilians stuck in Aleppo despite cease-fire Following reports that regime forces are blocking the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians from Aleppo, Ankara is accusing the Syrian regime and Shiite militias of attempting to sabotage the cease-fire Turkey brokered between Russia and opposition rebels. Syria
Russian dominance in Syria is a double-edged sword for Israel In an interview with Al-Monitor, an Israeli security official discussed the effects of Russia now setting the tone in Syria and explained Israel's complex relations with Russia in its northern front. Israel
Ancient Babylon's bricks finding their way into modern buildings The city of Hillah was built a thousand years ago using bricks scavenged from the ruins of Babylon, and the practice of reusing the ancient building materials continues there to this day. Iraq
New year, new Netanyahu? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again proclaimed his support for a two-state solution with the Palestinians, but is he being genuine? Palestine
What Exxon's Rex Tillerson might mean as secretary of state Democrats and some Republican lawmakers expressed concerns about the extensive business dealings in Russia of Trump’s nominee to be secretary of state, but several former diplomats said ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson brings significant global experience negotiating in complex environments. Russia
Fighting in Aleppo makes headlines in Tehran Conservative news outlets in Iran celebrate victories of the Syrian army in Aleppo. Syria
Al-Bab shaping up as more trouble for Turkey Islamic State fighters have dug in around al-Bab, reportedly digging trenches and preparing suicide bombers, as Turkish forces bombard their positions. Syria
Turkish state 'out for revenge' after Istanbul bombings Ankara promises revenge after the deadly twin bombing attacks hit Istanbul last weekend. Syria
Is Turkey’s fight against Syrian Kurds enabling Assad? Ankara’s constantly evolving intentions in Syria have eased the minds of Russia and the Syrian regime as they continue to consolidate their position in Aleppo and beyond. Syria
Dollar-hungry Turkey eyes Middle Eastern markets Scrambling to overcome a foreign exchange crunch, Turkey’s government has outlined incentives to prop up exporters, and while Middle Eastern markets figure high on the target list, Ankara’s political conflicts with neighbors present an obstacle that needs to be addressed. Iraq
As Lebanon tries to build walls, Palestinian initiatives traverse them As the Lebanese army and Palestinian officials in the country are debating the issue of the now halted construction of a wall around the Ain al-Hilweh camp, other Palestinians are launching civil initiatives to raise awareness about the refugees’ future. Palestine
What's behind Egyptian campaign to delay Saudi pilgrimages? Recent calls in Egypt to postpone by one year the umrah pilgrimage for those who have already made the trip has raised controversy and is viewed by some as a means of leverage against Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Former Iraqi PM: US could have stopped IS with 2008 security deal In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki discussed the country's relationship with the United States, the ongoing battle against the Islamic State and the role of the Popular Mobilization Units. Iraq
How Al-Azhar plans to strike back against 'fatwa chaos' Egypt's Al-Azhar faces an uphill battle to confront religious extremism as it continues its efforts to launch a TV channel that promotes moderate Islam. Egypt
