Iraqis celebrate addition of Khidr Elias feast to UNESCO heritage list UNESCO's addition of Iraq's Khidr Elias feast to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List is reviving interest in the religious and social tradition. Iraq
Egypt goes against international current with Libya support Amid accusations that Egypt is sending weapons to Libya in violation of the arms ban, Cairo is still working to convince the UN Security Council to support Gen. Hifter and the Libyan National Army. Egypt
Who are the Nawari, Gaza's alienated 'Gypsies'? Palestine's marginalized Nawari community is forced to rely on begging and dancing for income and suffers particular discrimination in highly conservative Gaza, where many look down on Nawaris for their traditions. Palestine
Will presidential referendum kill Turkey's democracy? Turkish voters have a chance to avert the country’s descent into a party-state autocracy in a referendum, after parliament approved constitutional amendments to install a presidential regime. Turkey
Is Turkey’s shift on Assad beginning of the end of Syria’s war? Turkish deputy prime minister says "we just have to work with what we have"; no sectarian divide in Aleppo; the Syrian Kurdish fault line. Lebanon
How Washington, Riyadh can work together to counter terrorism It would behoove Washington and Riyadh to take steps to reassure each other in the fight against terrorism. Saudi Arabia
US strike rekindles debate over Trump plans for Libya Barack Obama made a show of battling the Islamic State in conjunction with Tripoli's UN-backed unity government. Will the new president drop the GNA for an anti-Islamist strongman? Libya
In death, Iran's conservatives take ownership of Rafsanjani Iranian conservatives are maneuvering to shape the narrative of Rafsanjani’s political legacy in yet another attempt to subdue their Reformist and moderate rivals. Iran
Turkey's parliament comes to blows over Erdogan-enabling reforms Proposed constitutional reforms have sparked all-out brawling in Turkey's parliament, complete with physical and verbal attacks on female opposition figures. Turkey
When will Egypt's soccer fans be allowed to return? Whether Egypt's Interior Ministry will lift the ban against club supporters is far from decided. Egypt
Critical film unnerves Egypt's religious scholars Many Egyptian clerics are up in arms over a new film that takes on the nation's sheikhs and mosque preachers, saying it harms the reverence and respect they are due and calling for it to be pulled from theaters. Egypt
Turkey offers citizenship to foreigners with deep pockets To attract much-needed foreign currency to the country, Ankara is offering Turkish citizenship to wealthy foreigners, but given Turkey’s gloomy economic and political outlook, the plan may lead to disappointment. Turkey
Sadr’s fighters guard Shiite shrines, Sunni inhabitants in Iraq's Samarra The predominantly Sunni city of Samarra, which includes one of the main Shiite holy shrines and is under the control of mostly Shiite militias, continues to be a prime target for IS and criminal groups. Iraq
What is Turkey’s problem with Darwin? The elimination of the theory of evolution from Turkey's high school textbooks seems to be the latest round in the country's century-old culture war. Turkey
After Paris — a Moscow conference on Mideast peace? Palestinians are now developing a follow-up strategy to the Paris II conference, and are hoping for a Moscow conference in the near future. Palestine
Is Palestinian autonomy plan back on Likud table? Likud Knesset member Yoav Kisch rejects the two-state solution and offers in its stead a three-phase plan for Palestinian autonomy. Palestine
