Erdogan offers 'condolences' during Armenian genocide events Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a message of support to an Armenian genocide commemoration in Istanbul in a radical departure from previous government policy. Turkey
Will Riyadh’s new DC ambassador draw US deeper into Yemen war? While the new Saudi ambassador to Washington, Khaled bin Salman, wants to convince the Trump administration to get more involved in the war in Yemen, history may deter the US administration. Saudi Arabia
How journalism became a crime in Turkey The state's indictment against executives and journalists of Turkey’s Cumhuriyet daily constitutes an unprecedented legal scandal, indicating that criticism of the government is now considered a crime. Turkey
After seven-year absence, Will Egypt return to Nile Basin Initiative? Egypt is seeking to return to the Nile Basin Initiative to secure its water interests, but it seems that it is facing obstacles. Egypt
Complex deal frees kidnapped Qatari royals, two Saudis Various versions of a recent hostage deal are circulating that include, potentially, political motivations, millions of dollars in ransom, exchanged military prisoners and relocated civilians. Saudi Arabia
Can Sisi protect Egypt's endangered Christians? Terrorist attacks targeting Egypt’s Copts have raised questions about the regime’s ability to safeguard them and whether President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will be able to sustain their support. Egypt
The real reason behind Netanyahu's shameful silence It took Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu four days to apologize to bereaved families over insults by Likud Knesset members. Israel
Journalists concerned with formation of Egypt's National Media Council The National Media Council was formed without including any opposition figures, which raised concern over the freedom of the media and press under Egypt’s renewed state of emergency. Egypt
Hamas loses out as Palestinian hunger strike benefits Fatah Hamas prisoners have chosen not to join the hunger strike led by the currently imprisoned PLO leader Marwan Barghouti, making both the PLO and Barghouti look good. Palestine
Beirut's heritage buildings threatened by urbanization Activists in Lebanon are demanding new laws to preserve heritage buildings, as chaotic urban planning and archaic laws are leading to the disappearance of Beirut’s oldest houses. Lebanon
War of words escalates between Jordan, Iran Jordan’s 1994 peace treaty with Israel along with its pro-US orientation seems to have put the country on a collision course with Iran. Saudi Arabia
Help comes with dangerous strings for Syrian Druze town The Golan Heights town of Hadar has been suffering essentially siege conditions throughout the Syrian war, surrounded by the warring factions and unfriendly neighbors and manipulated by aid from both the regime and Israel. Israel
Why were Gaza’s poor denied monetary allowances? The political dispute between Hamas and the consensus government in Ramallah has affected many poor families in the Gaza Strip whose welfare payments have been cut off. Palestine
How the IDF is plotting Islamic State's next move Israeli intelligence expects the Islamic State to relocate after it loses the battles over Mosul and Raqqa. Iraq
Does Erdogan expect Trump to ditch Syrian Kurds? US and Turkish presidents talk, agree to meeting in Washington; Saudi-Iraqi ties hit Iranian ceiling; Turkey sees al-Bab as safe haven for displaced Syrians. Saudi Arabia
Aya Hegazy case spotlights Egypt's pretrial detention law Human rights activists welcome a proposed limitation on pretrial detentions in Egypt, but some remain skeptical that the amendment would make a real difference on the ground. Egypt
