Trump’s Middle East fans get caught up in global blowback Political leaders from Israel to Saudi Arabia are quickly finding out that siding with Trump comes at a price. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s president: We’re neither xenophiles nor xenophobes Amid continuing criticism by hard-liners over the US visa ban, Iran’s president has lashed out, asserting that independence is not equivalent to isolation. Iran
Gulf of mistrust mars Kuwaiti initiative for Iran-GCC dialogue Despite Kuwait’s reported initiative to resolve tension between Iran and the Gulf Cooperation Council, it appears that the two sides are not yet ready to address the deeper causes of conflict and tension. Gulf
Will Turkish-Greek tensions escalate over Aegean islands, fugitive officers? A Greek court’s decision to deny Turkey’s request for the extradition of suspected Gulenist officers who had fled to Greece after the failed coup, coupled with new tensions on the Aegean Sea, could reignite old disputes between Ankara and Athens. Turkey
Sinai families demand probe following killings A new conflict between north Sinai residents and the Interior Ministry erupted when the latter announced the death of 10 people allegedly affiliated with Wilayat Sinai, which the residents dispute. Egypt
Who will dictate religious discourse in Egypt? Tensions are building as the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments and Al-Azhar Mosque are competing over who gets to determine the topics imams discuss in mosques. Egypt
How unsolved murders serve power struggles in Turkey High-profile trials and political murders have become tools in Turkey's power struggles, doubling also as a means to intimidate dissidents. Turkey
Does Syria really want to reconcile with Kurds? The future of Syrian Kurds is uncertain, but they have at least made it obvious that things must change. Syria
Can Hamas' Haniyeh accept Egyptian demands? During their trip to Cairo, Hamas officials heard a long list of Egyptian security demands in exchange for mending ties, and now incoming leader Ismail Haniyeh must sell the deal or be left to rule the Gaza Strip without Egypt's help. Palestine
Shiite militias open offices in Iraq's liberated Sunni areas The Popular Mobilization Units are expanding their domination in Sunni-majority areas liberated from the Islamic State, raising concerns among the local population. Iraq
Netanyahu's road to Iran runs through North Korea Israel fears that if North Korea continues to develop its nuclear arsenal, Iran will no longer agree to restraints on its nuclear program. Israel
Iranians react harshly to US visa ban Iranian officials and media react harshly to US President Donald Trump’s executive order to ban the entry of Iranian citizens to the United States. United States
Why did Russia offer autonomy for Syria’s Kurds? Draft constitution from Russia seeks to decentralize Syrian state authority, limit presidential powers; Turkish forces struggle in two-front campaign against both the Islamic State and Syrian Kurds; Al-Monitor offers in-depth reporting on Syrian Kurdish region. Iraq
Russia offers outline for Syrian constitution Russia’s three-pronged plan for Syria’s constitution addresses secular and Kurdish concerns, as well as governmental structure, including limits on presidential power. Syria
Ankara concerned by PKK's modernized arsenal The Kurdistan Workers Party's weapons, ammunition and equipment captured by Turkey show a previously unknown diversification and growing sophistication of the group's arsenal. Turkey
Hope and fear for Syria's Kurds In the first of a new series of long-form, in-depth articles, Al-Monitor traveled to the northeastern Syrian town of Derik to explore the transitional and often contradictory nature of the Kurdish-administered territory still commonly called Rojava. Syria
