Is PA on road to reconciliation with Egypt? Relations between the Palestinian Authority and Egypt have been strained lately, but some are denying the seriousness of this fallout. Palestine
Palestinians ponder possible US Embassy move to Jerusalem Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has written a letter to US President-elect Donald Trump in an attempt to convince him not to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Palestine
Why Netanyahu rushed to link Jerusalem attack to IS Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to blame the Islamic State for the terror attack in Jerusalem, ignoring that Palestinian assailants are motivated first and foremost by the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Journalists' Syndicate head: Egyptian press facing crisis with the state In an interview with Al-Monitor, head of the Journalists' Syndicate Yahya Qalash speaks of the syndicate’s problem with the state, the new media law and the media regulators law. Egypt
Westward offensive starts as Iraq's Ramadi catches breath With the Mosul operation still going on and Anbar's liberated area still unstable, the Iraqi forces have launched an assault on the last Islamic State stronghold in Anbar province. Iraq
Will Turkey leave NATO? Observers wonder whether an offer of full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization would lure Turkey away from NATO and the country's "suffering" at the hands of the European Union. Turkey
Iran reacts to death of 'pillar' of Islamic Revolution Moderate Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, known for his efforts to reduce tension between Iran and the West, dies. Iran
Is Rouhani repeating Ahmadinejad’s tricks in currency market? In Iran, the Central Bank and the government are coming under fire for allegedly letting the currency devalue in order to make up for budget deficits. Iran
Iran loses flawed champion of renewed ties with US A powerful and pragmatic political figure both before and long after his term as Iranian president, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has died of a heart attack at age 82, leaving the task of safeguarding the nuclear agreement and outreach to Washington to President Hassan Rouhani and others he groomed over the years. United States
Contentious debate opens on Turkish presidential system Although a constitutional amendment to switch the Turkish government to a presidential system looks likely to pass parliament, the outcome of a referendum on the measure is anyone's guess. Turkey
Who's fighting whom in Iraq's Sinjar? After KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani warned that the KRG may resort to force to expel the Kurdistan Workers Party from Sinjar, tensions rose in the region. Iraq
How Netanyahu failed IDF battle of ethics While IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot defended the verdict against the soldier who shot a wounded Palestinian assailant, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered only feeble support of the army’s leader. Palestine
Why Turkish government pushes 'global conspiracy' narrative Fueled by conspiracies and fake news, Turkey’s ruling elite want to portray all hostile acts in the country as controlled by a Western “mastermind." Turkey
Jerusalem terror: Palestinian intifada or Islamic State attack? The truck attack in Jerusalem indicates that the Palestinian intifada has no rules, framework or commanding hierarchy. Palestine
Jordanians question timing, messages of top military brass The Dec. 30 BBC interview with Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised eyebrows in Amman and prompted local commentators to speculate about the purpose and meaning of Freihat’s statements. Iraq
Egypt's political, religious leaders push for family planning Egypt's Ministry of Awqaf is working to promote family planning as a solution to the overpopulated country's economic crisis. Egypt
