The holy alliance between Netanyahu and the ultra-Orthodox With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ceding to all their demands, Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties are in no hurry to dismantle his government. Israel
Third time, no charm: Eid proves unlucky for Istanbul Pride Istanbul's pride parade has been derailed yet again by police and ultranationalists, but LGBT Turks and their supporters still have much to celebrate. Turkey
Tensions flare between IDF, UN peacekeepers in Lebanon With Hezbollah turning into a real army, with strong attack capabilities, Israel starts building a defense wall on its northern border. Israel
Gaza artist turns waste into art Palestinian artist Shareef Sarhan collects discarded items and transforms them into art to help reduce pollution in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Turkey's real target on way to Idlib: Kurds Turkey wants to be part of the de-escalation process in Syria, especially if that means it can multitask and wipe out the Kurdish corridor at the same time. Syria
For now, Turkey's college bathrooms remain gender-specific There is strong student support for LGBTQ groups’ demands for gender-neutral bathrooms at one of Turkey’s best public colleges, but administrative and public reaction reveals deep-rooted transphobia from the least-expected corner of Turkish society. Turkey
Gazan sword-maker sharpens his blade to protect his craft The Abu Wadi family has been making swords for hundreds of years, but will the disappearing trade see the next generation? Palestine
Saudi-led Qatar blockade brings Iran, Turkey together Rather than forcing Doha to bow to its demands, the Saudi-led blockade of Qatar has split the region in two, bringing together the kingdom’s rivals. Saudi Arabia
With Qatar isolated by GCC, Iran steps in After Saudi Arabia asked Qatar to cut relations with Iran, Iranian and Qatari leaders said they plan to expand ties. Saudi Arabia
Iraq's Kurds question motives behind independence vote Opponents of the Iraq Kurdistan referendum on independence question the real agenda behind the Kurdistan Democratic Party's push for the vote. Iraq
Rights advocates question Egypt’s decision to extend state of emergency Critics of the Egyptian government fear that a three-month extension of the state of emergency will be used to crack down on them. Egypt
Iran draws line in the sand in Syrian desert Iran stakes claim in eastern Syria; Saudi move against Hamas; Qatar risks confrontation in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia
Kushner's first foray into Mideast peace reveals challenges ahead Palestinians accuse the US negotiating team that met with President Mahmoud Abbas June 22 of taking Israel's side, by not discussing the two-state solution or Israeli settlement activities. Palestine
Egypt's economists praise decision to lift caps on money transfers The Central Bank of Egypt is hoping to stabilize the country’s economy with its decision to lift caps on foreign exchange transfers. Egypt
For Turkey's youngest Jews, ancestral tongue fading away Turkey’s Sephardic Jewish community has mobilized efforts to save the Ladino language from extinction, but after decades of repression, the swell of interest in their heritage language sounds more like a swan song. Countries
The Turkish economy's mysterious rebound The Turkish economy's surprise 5% growth rate in the first quarter has stirred controversy, fueled mostly by a new calculation method adopted last year. Turkey
