How Turkey used math to drastically boost its economy A 20% upward revision in the size of the Turkish economy will notably improve the country’s economic profile on paper, but not without controversy over the new calculation method and the discrepancies it created. Turkey
One year on, Libya's unity accord needs more work The Libyan Political Accord signed last year in Morocco between Libya’s rival political factions has proven imperfect, but to maintain what progress has been made, any renegotiations must be partial. Libya
Fatah seventh conference: What was missing from Abbas’ speech? In his speech at Fatah’s seventh congress, President Mahmoud Abbas did not tackle the failure of the consensus government and the disruption of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Palestine
Social media campaign challenges Palestinians to donate A social media campaign that is spreading fast among Facebook's Palestinian users encourages participants to donate money to people in need. Palestine
Why Israeli settlers consider Trump’s ambassador choice a 'miracle' For Israeli settlers, US President-elect Donald Trump’s choice of David Friedman as the next US ambassador to Israel is nothing short of a miracle. Palestine
Will Egypt accept Iran’s offer to supply oil? Iran has found an opportunity to meet Egypt’s local market needs for petroleum products, but will Egypt seize this opportunity at the expense of its ties with the Gulf countries? Gulf
Baghdad looks to Trump with framework agreement Following the victory by US President-elect Donald Trump, Iraq seeks to strengthen cooperation with the United States through the full implementation of the 2008 Strategic Framework Agreement. Iraq
Three reasons Iran should worry over Russia’s Syria plans Despite successful cooperation with Moscow to help retake Aleppo, Tehran is likely to remain suspicious of Russian intentions and maneuvering in Syria. Syria
Wary Saudis silent as Trump's Israel position takes shape US President-elect Donald Trump's choice for ambassador to Israel is a sign that he still intends to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, a major shakeup in American policy if the plan is followed through. Saudi Arabia
Obama’s Aleppo defense US President Barack Obama says the brutality in Aleppo is solely the fault of "the Assad regime and its allies Russia and Iran." Does Israel benefit from Russia’s role in Syria? Bombings in Turkey spur an anti-Kurdish frenzy. Syria
Egyptian startup fights depression online Shezlong secures a $150,000 grant to further develop the online platform that was launched in 2015 to provide mental health care to the millions of Egyptians who seek psychological help. Egypt
Turkish families cope with aftermath of failed coup With their fathers in jail following the failed July 15 coup in Turkey, these children struggle to convince others of their fathers' innocence. Turkey
Egypt's parliament under fire for controversial child custody bill A proposed bill in Egypt’s parliament that would implement sweeping changes to laws concerning women has sparked outrage as women’s rights activists are calling for its immediate withdrawal. Egypt
Kremlin dilemma: Regain Palmyra or advance on Idlib? Victories in the war on the Islamic State are tempered by setbacks that call for a careful examination of how to proceed. Syria
Do minorities have role in Iraqi national reconciliation? Iraqi minorities and civil society complain that the recently announced national reconciliation project does not include their voices and neglects their demands. Iraq
Can Iraq's parliament regulate the country's tribes? The Iraqi parliament has discussed the proposal of the law on the Council of Tribes and Clans, which will be voted on in early 2017. Iraq
