Turkey’s 'megaprojects' off to disappointing start In an outcome that many have long feared, Turkey’s “megaprojects” are underperforming, meaning the government now has to compensate the construction companies under contract terms. Turkey
Why Cairo’s canines may soon be ditching the kibble After a successful career in marketing and public relations, Heba Ahmed has opened a fresh dog food delivery service out of her home. Egypt
What Rouhani wanted from Putin in Moscow visit Moscow seems satisfied with Iranian President Rouhani’s visit, as Russia seeks a balanced relationship with the three most powerful Middle East states. Russia
The GCC’s three options for dealing with Iran Against the backdrop of heightened tensions with Iran in past years, the Gulf Cooperation Council stands at a crossroads in how it chooses to deal with the Islamic Republic. Gulf
Calls for support as destroyed Mosul Museum seeks to rebuild Not much is left of the Mosul Museum, Iraq's second most important museum, after Islamic State militants stole what they could carry and smashed and set the rest on fire. Iraq
Drug cultivation, trafficking on the rise in West Bank Despite increased efforts to counter it, drug cultivation and trafficking has increased in the West Bank in the first quarter of 2017 compared to previous years. Palestine
Why is Netanyahu ignoring concerns of chemical workers? Threatened with losing their jobs, employees from Haifa Chemicals cannot get the attention of Israeli leaders, who are too concerned with the fight over Israel's Public Broadcasting Corporation. Israel
Will bulked-up wheat reserves keep the peace in Egypt? After protests over a decrease in bread subsidy allocations, Egypt is reinforcing its wheat reserves. Egypt
Gaza military court sentences two to death for drug offenses In the first ruling of its kind since the creation of the PA, a military court in Gaza City has sentenced two Palestinians to death for dealing drugs, worrying human rights groups. Palestine
Gulen casts a large shadow over Turkey’s ties with West Erdogan’s fury grows as more European countries express doubt that Gulen is behind last year’s failed coup against him. Turkey
Can Iran avoid looming banking crisis? In Iran, debate on how to avoid a looming banking crisis reaches fever pitch, with the future structure of the Central Bank of Iran becoming a battlefield between the government and its conservative opponents. Iran
Putin, Rouhani hold 'intensive' talks in Moscow Iran’s president, who is on a two-day trip to Moscow, holds “important” meetings with Russia’s president and prime minister. Russia
Turkey deals death blow to Kurdish leadership with DBP conviction Democratic Regions Party co-chair Kamuran Yuksek has been convicted of terrorism and sentenced in absentia to a lengthy prison term, while party officials decry insufficient evidence in "purely political” trial. Turkey
Turkey’s main Islamic human rights organization faces internal upheaval Mazlumder, Turkey’s main pro-Islamic human rights organization, has witnessed an internal revolution as those who criticized the government too much were kicked out. Turkey
What role will Iran-linked militias play once IS leaves Iraq? Despite Iraqi government attempts to control Shiite militias within the Popular Mobilization Units, the groups still are ready and willing to confront Israel and Saudi Arabia outside of Iraq. Iraq
Will new union chief give Egypt more control over press? Abdel Mohsen Salama, who is affiliated with the regime of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, was recently elected head of the Journalists' Union, raising questions about the state's future role in the media. Egypt
