Netanyahu turns discrimination resentment into strategy Forty years after the political turnabout that brought the right-wing Likud Party to power, Likud supporters from the periphery and of Middle Eastern origin still feel discriminated by a left-wing European elite. Israel
Why Trump-Abbas meeting has rattled Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned that the US president's inviting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a meeting in the White house, well before many other important world leaders, reflects a determination to advance a two-state deal. Palestine
Trump, Abbas vow to prove skeptics wrong on reaching peace deal In upbeat White House visit May 3, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and US President Donald Trump expressed themselves optimistic they can reach an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that nobody thinks they will reach. Palestine
Syria sanctions bill sparks renewed debate over Assad and Christians The House Foreign Affairs panel voted for new sanctions on anyone helping Bashar al-Assad's regime. Syria
US, Russia approach each other cautiously on Syria Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have set an ambitious pace for diplomatic discussions with other world leaders regarding Syria, but they apparently agree that small steps are best when dealing with each other on the topic. Syria
Civilians task themselves with administering IS-free areas of Raqqa The new Raqqa Civilian Assembly is overseeing areas of the province that have been cleared of the Islamic State and helping thousands of refugees who are risking everything, traveling clandestinely on booby-trapped roads to get out of the city. Syria
With Turkish journalists gagged, ICG spotlights Nusaybin In a new report, the International Crisis Group examines the Turkish border town of Nusaybin, where residents feel alienated and under Turkish occupation, to outline the local dynamics in the Kurdish region. Turkey
More Kurds forced out of ancient Sur in southeast Turkey The Turkish authorities are evacuating more neighborhoods in Diyarbakir’s historic district of Sur, leaving hundreds of Kurdish families with uncertain futures. Turkey
Spiritual leader of Iranian Reformists backs Rouhani In his bid for a second term, moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has won the endorsement of an influential Reformist: former President Mohammad Khatami. Iran
Why Iran's conservatives are suddenly rooting for Rouhani's VP First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri’s strong performance in the first Iranian presidential debate has led conservatives to speculate about the prospect of him challenging President Hassan Rouhani. What is the real aim of this unlikely depiction? Iran
Specter of death penalty haunts Egypt’s Brotherhood An Egyptian court issued the first death sentence against a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, Sheikh Fadl al-Mawla, in what some fear will be a precedent for the regime. Egypt
How one Palestinian couple hopes to bring back mosaic art Journalist Said al-Ghazali from Jerusalem turned his house into a museum to revive the art of mosaic that disappeared in the Palestinian territories. Palestine
West Bank walking trail highlights Palestinian heritage, culture A walking trail across several villages in the West Bank aims to boost local and foreign tourism, in a bid to show the world that Palestinians have a rich cultural and archaeological heritage. Palestine
Iraq's firebrand Shiite cleric presents his political successor Muqtada al-Sadr has appointed his nephew to oversee all the political activities of the Sadrist movement, while he turns his attention entirely to its religious aspects. Iraq
Is Sisi undermining independence of Egypt's judiciary? Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi approved legal amendments that allow him to appoint the heads of the judicial bodies in the country, which forecasts a never-ending clash between the state and judges. Egypt
Hamas defies charter, recognizes 1967 borders Hamas' recognition of the Israeli borders established in 1967 is part of outgoing political chief Khaled Meshaal's legacy of pragmatism, but Israel won't be easily soothed. Palestine
