Iran pulls Palestine from the margins The Iranian leadership turns out in force for Palestinian conference; Turkey’s victory in al-Bab may be a prelude to a showdown with the Syrian Kurds. Palestine
Why Iran wants Palestine back on regional agenda Iran hosts a conference in support of the Palestinian intifada as it seeks to put the Palestinian cause back at the top of its regional agenda. Saudi Arabia
Female preachers officially find their way to Egypt's pulpits In a groundbreaking move, Egypt's Ministry of Religious Endowments has appointed 144 female preachers to deliver sermons to all-female congregations. Egypt
'Spying imams' spark new crisis between Europe, Turkey Because of accusations of espionage, Turkey had to recall religious attaches and official imams from several European countries. Turkey
Is Iran-Turkey tension intentional? Turkey, while seeking to access Gulf funds and boost its defense industry exports, has risked economic relations with Iran — but the risk could also hold opportunity. Turkey
Shiite political differences widen gap between Najaf, Qom The political differences between Qom and Najaf clerics indicate a sharp conflict between the two schools after Ali al-Sistani, whose death will create a broad vacuum in the Shiite scene. Iraq
Egyptian fish return to Gaza's markets Tons of fish entered the Gaza Strip through the crossings and tunnels from Egypt, allowing medium- and low-income consumers to buy species that are usually consumed by the rich, as they are so scarce in the Gaza sea. Palestine
Former Palestinian prisoners work hard to conquer ghosts of their torture Palestinian filmmaker Raed Andoni talks about his and other former political prisoners’ hunt for the ghosts that remind them of Israeli torture. Palestine
Residents of Syria's Deir ez-Zor fear IS massacre As it loses ground in Mosul, the Islamic State is more determined than ever to gain ground in Deir ez-Zor, and its takeover could spell disaster for the civilians who have remained in the area. Syria
What a Palestine-Jordan confederation might look like US President Donald Trump’s inclination toward a regional peace process has driven the Palestinians to create a new formula for a confederation with Jordan. Palestine
Has Hamas completely forgotten Saudi Arabia? The appointment of Yahya Sinwar as Hamas’ head in the Gaza Strip undermines the rapprochement between the movement and Saudi Arabia, while drawing Iran closer to the Palestinian resistance. Saudi Arabia
Dahlan sends message with Palestinian youth conference By organizing a youth conference in Cairo, dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan sought to assert his strong position as statesman to potentially replace President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Israeli Bedouin stigmatized by terrorist narrative Israeli Bedouin are concerned about being stereotyped as terrorists after Israeli officials made "irresponsible" statements following the death of a police officer. Israel
Will Iraq ban unveiled women from holy cities? The provincial council of Karbala is to vote to forbid the entry of unveiled women into the holy city, sparking resentment among the city's residents. Iraq
GOP divided over calling out Assad war crimes Two-thirds of the Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee declined to join their chairman’s call for accountability for Syrian war crimes. Syria
Will this woman become Iran’s first female president? In a remarkable twist, Iranian Reformists appear to eagerly welcome the potential candidacy of female Principlist Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi in the upcoming presidential elections. Iran
