How Turkish referendum victory could backfire for Erdogan The close vote in the April 16 referendum has galvanized Turkey’s opposition, but the prospect of the diverse political spectrum agreeing on a joint candidate to confront President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the 2019 elections remains daunting. Turkey
Iraqis point fingers over spurt of kidnappings Sunni and Shiite officials trade accusations over recent forced disappearances of Iraqi civilians, which has fueled more sectarian strife in the country. Iraq
Journalists in Gaza face intensifying crackdown Several journalists from the Gaza Strip have recently been kidnapped by the Hamas-run security services, beaten and tortured, to finally be released after being instructed not to criticize the movement. Palestine
Will Turkish opposition rally around Erdogan challenger in 2019? If the opposition unifies around a candidate who can attract varied segments of votes, Erdoganism may not become the only game in town by the 2019 presidential election. Turkey
Baptismal unity divides Egypt's Copts An agreement on baptism between Pope Francis and Pope Tawadros II has angered some Copts. Egypt
Power cuts, cheap imports fray Gaza's handmade carpet industry Handwoven carpets and rugs are an ancient Palestinian tradition, but few craftsmen are still making them in Gaza, where cheaper goods are flooding the market and the power outages narrow their windows to work. Palestine
What, if anything, will come of meeting between Libyan rivals? The head of Libya's UN-backed government in Tripoli, Fayez al-Sarraj, spoke recently with military strongman Khalifa Hifter in their first-ever meeting, aimed at ending violence and chaos in Libya. United Arab Emirates
Egypt hopes papal trip will be a blessing for tourism industry The two-day visit of Pope Francis to Egypt on April 28-29 was more than just a religious visit. Egypt
Sinai tribes take up arms against IS Tribes in northern Sinai have joined the fight against Wilayat Sinai, raising questions about the state’s monopoly on weapons. Egypt
Protesters gear up as politicians' clock winds down in Lebanon Activists in Lebanon have organized to oppose a third extension of parliament and demand a modern electoral law that would bring in new political candidates. Lebanon
Netanyahu’s vision of one-state-one-people solution Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is promoting neither the two-state solution nor one state for the two people, but one state on Israeli and West Bank territories, only for the Jews. Palestine
Former athletes under fire in Tehran City Council elections This year’s local council elections appear likely to rid the influential Tehran City Council of former athletes amid public criticism of their qualifications. Iran
Khamenei warns against election unrest, George Soros Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned presidential candidates against stirring up unrest and warned George Soros against interfering in the election. Iran
Trump and Russia's Lavrov talk Syria at White House Shadowed by an investigation into Moscow's interference in the US election, US President Donald Trump welcomed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to the White House May 10. Syria
Is Russia’s planned missile sale to Turkey the real deal? Though some critics claim Turkey has no serious intention of buying defense systems from Russia, some military experts say the proposal is definitely feasible. Turkey
How to read Trump’s blow to Turkey on Syrian Kurds What motivated the United States' decision to directly arm Syrian Kurdish forces? Syria
