Turkey’s ‘great wall’ nearing completion Having finished most of the 435-mile-long wall on the Syria border, Turkey is to erect walls on its borders with Iran and Iraq. Turkey
Understanding Iranian threat perceptions Rather than perpetuating mantras about Iranian expansionism, the United States and its regional allies should take a closer look at the origins of Iranian threat perceptions. Iran
'Justice March' spawns unique coalition in Turkey The “Justice March” of Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu spawned a unique togetherness between disparate groups, but will this spontaneous coalition last? Turkey
As war on IS continues, Iraqi Kurdish journalists face suppression Kurdish activists complain of suppression and limitation of independent journalistic freedom in the Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Netanyahu’s house of cards not collapsing, for now So far, despite the many scandals, Likud voters are sticking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but for how long? Israel
Shiite Kurds challenge Iraqi Kurdistan independence In addition to international bodies, regional powers and Baghdad, the Shiite Kurdish group known as Feylis is also fundamentally opposed to Kurdistan’s secession from Iraq. Iraq
'Precarious calm' in southwest Syria amid cease-fire In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesman for the Southern Front, Maj. Issam al-Rayes, talks about the recent cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan in southern Syria, the regime’s violations and the boycott of the Astana talks. Jordan
Israeli-Palestinian water deal could chart course for further talks An agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on the Red Sea-Dead Sea canal project could build some trust between the sides, but the Palestinians are leery of any impact from it going into negotiations. Palestine
US expected to recertify Iran compliance with nuclear deal The secretaries of state and defense appear to have overruled Iran hawks in the White House and Congress. United States
Pentagon wants to build new US facilities in Iraq, Syria The Trump administration has asked Congress for the authority to build new “small-scale,” “temporary facilities” to help defeat the Islamic State. Iraq
Ankara-Islamic State story emerges between lines of Turkish report A new report by Turkey’s Interior Ministry takes a kindly look at the country's fight against Islamic State. Syria
Turkey waiting … and waiting … to intervene in Afrin Ankara's pro-government media are blaming the United States and Russia for delaying Turkey’s move on Kurdish forces in Afrin, which was to begin July 5. Syria
Palestinians disappointed over Israeli Labor primaries Palestinian leadership in Ramallah is disappointed over Isaac Herzog losing the Labor Party’s primaries, as they were hoping that Herzog would join the Netanyahu government and advance regional negotiations. Palestine
Egypt keen on protecting Qatari investments Egypt recently severed ties with Qatar, but believes the countries' economic relationship should stay above the fray. Qatar
Dahlan preps for return to Gaza Former Fatah senior official Mohammed Dahlan is venerated now in the Gaza Strip as the man who closed the deal with Egypt to renew electricity flow. Palestine
Anti-Semitism abroad serves Netanyahu's plan In the battle against anti-Semitism in Europe, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sides with the Hungarian government instead of siding with Hungarian Jews. Israel
