Turkey unveiling defense industry innovations it hopes will boost exports Turkey’s defense industry will exhibit ambitious products at the IDEF Fair, largely aimed at foreign markets. Turkey
Mosul civil servants still waiting to be paid As the Iraqi government is still unable to pay salaries to its employees in Mosul, people continue to face financial woes. Iraq
Residents in Syria's eastern Ghouta face tightened siege The Syrian regime tightened its siege on eastern Ghouta, and the infighting within the opposition factions will likely contribute to the regime’s seizure of Ghouta. Syria
How pyramids photoshoot inflamed Egypt-Sudan media war Cairo and Khartoum have signed an agreement to gain control of the media storm fed by tension between the two countries. Egypt
What’s behind controversial new initiative from Egyptian Islamist group? The Egyptian government and different parties in the Sinai Peninsula turned a deaf ear to the Save Sinai initiative, a proposal launched by Gamaa Islamiya aimed at halting violence in the region. Egypt
Egypt’s economists laud new residency-for-deposits law In an effort to bolster Egypt’s economy, parliament passed a law that grants residency to foreigners in return for bank deposits in hard currency. Egypt
How artful can Trump be when dealing with Palestine-Israel conflict? Despite President Mahmoud Abbas’ much-anticipated visit to Washington, Palestinians don’t have high hopes that US President Donald Trump can achieve a breakthrough and reach a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Palestine
White House sees wild-card nature as asset in Trump’s first foreign trip Trump’s first foreign trip as president will be to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Rome, the holy places for Islam, Judaism and Christianity, as he tries to rally the world to unite against extremism and intolerance, aides say. Saudi Arabia
How the US stood with Syria's Kurds Turkish airstrikes against the YPG in Syria animated the region, but the US-led anti-Islamic State coalition is standing its ground when it comes to defending the Syrian Kurds. Syria
No end in sight for Erdogan's purges after referendum The Turkish government’s narrow victory in last month’s constitutional referendum has emboldened new purges, affecting hundreds of police officers, academics and civilians. Turkey
Kurds rage as Turkish police flee scene of fatal crash Police officers crashed into a home in Kurdish town, killing two children, and furious residents are demanding an end to security forces' impunity. Turkey
What are European Union’s plans if Trump fails on Mideast peace? If US President Donald Trump fails to advance his Middle East conference initiative, the European Union will advance its own initiative for a third Paris conference. Palestine
Palestinians flock to first Palestinian bank in Jerusalem The National Bank opened its branch in the Dahiat al-Barid neighborhood in Jerusalem on April 17, allowing Palestinians to fulfill their banking needs in Israel without having to cross into the West Bank. Palestine
What's holding up the liberation of Iraq's Tal Afar? There are various accounts of why Tal Afar, Iraq, remains under the Islamic State's control despite the presence of armed forces ready and waiting to reclaim the city. Iraq
'National dialogue' initiative indicates shifting political sands in Iran While former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami's call for national reconciliation earlier this year was roundly rejected by Iranian conservatives, the initiative may finally take off with Principlist parliament Speaker Ali Larijani at its helm. Iran
Former Tehran mayor under fire for criticism of Syria war Former Tehran Mayor Gholam Hossein Karbaschi has been indicted for criticizing Iran’s approach to the Syrian civil war. Iran
