Iraqi oppositionists appear safe in Qatar for now Politically besieged Doha is moving closer to Iraq, which raises concerns about the future of the Iraqi opposition residing in Qatar. Qatar
Rouhani leads Iran’s return to wheat exports After years of imports, Iran has once again regained its self-sufficiency in wheat production under the Hassan Rouhani administration. Oman
Netanyahu tries to steer clear of submarine scandal The latest developments in the submarine scandal are threatening to drag Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into the affair and out of the premier’s seat. Israel
Iran to US: Worry about your own domestic problems Iranian officials have criticized US Secretary of Defense James Mattis for accusing Iran of causing instability in the region and saying regime change in Tehran will have to precede renewed ties with the United States. United States
PA Foreign Ministry leaves diaspora Palestinians frazzled Shifting diaspora affairs from the purview of the PLO to the Palestinian Foreign Ministry has ruffled a number of feathers. Palestine
Egypt opposition MP: Resigning over island transfer 'no longer useful' Nadia Henry, a member of Egypt’s opposition 25-30 bloc in parliament, tells Al-Monitor that the opposition will continue to fight the transfer of Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia, and that a larger opposition coalition could be created. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's doubled rations no cause for celebration as prices set to soar The Egyptian government has doubled rations for millions of citizens even as the new budget outlines a plan to reduce and eventually eliminate subsidies altogether. Egypt
Pentagon braces for Islamic State insurgency after Mosul The top US commander in Iraq and Syria warned of a hard-fought insurgency but ruled out a US troop surge. Iraq
Economists praise Egyptian court ruling on jobless benefits The Egyptian government is mulling over a high court’s decision that the constitution guarantees financial help to the country’s unemployed. Egypt
Cozy Tillerson-Erdogan meeting in Turkey raises hope for warming ties In a positive sign for US-Turkish ties, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson held reportedly friendly and lengthy talks with Turkish leaders in Istanbul on the sidelines of a World Petroleum Congress. Turkey
Ankara may be counting on US-Russian rivalry in Syria Unable to make its own mark, Ankara continues to vacillate between Moscow and Washington in an apparent effort to secure support to roll back gains by Syrian Kurds it considers terrorists. Turkey
Lebanese artist pays tribute to leaving a life behind Lebanese artist Yazan Halwani’s mural in Mannheim, Germany, aims to display the mobility of his country’s youth. Lebanon
Israeli Labor voters opt for the new guy Newly elected Israeli Labor Chairman Avi Gabbay has little political experience to offer the party. Applauded by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, he invites all veterans to join forces. Israel
Is Iran running Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units? Some leaders and members of Iraq's PMU are heavily swayed by Iran, which is pressuring Iraq to distance itself from the United States. Iraq
Rise of new Saudi crown prince stirs serious concerns in Iran While the elevation of Mohammed bin Salman was no surprise to many observers in Tehran, his de facto rule over Saudi Arabia is raising serious concerns in Iran. Saudi Arabia
Iran ready to work with Interpol over 1994 Argentina bombing Iran expressed readiness to start talks over its alleged involvement in a 1994 bombing in Argentina. Saudi Arabia
