Sisi looks to Africa to boost Egypt's standing in Nile dam dispute Egypt is shifting its strategy toward African countries, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi making an African tour to revive interaction on security matters. Egypt
Questions abound over future of Ahmadinejad Despite his increasing isolation, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been reappointed as a member of the Expediency Council. Iran
Egypt's Al-Azhar rejects Tunisia's calls for equal inheritance for women Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi's calls to change the inheritance law faced backlash across the region, with Egypt's Al-Azhar sharply denouncing them. Tunisia
Turkey's FM repeats toothless warnings against KRG independence vote On his visit to Baghdad and Erbil, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu brought with him Turkey’s mixed signals about the planned referendum on Iraqi Kurdish independence, asking for its cancellation but naming no consequences from his country. Iraq
Turkish military upheaval continues at top levels Recent shake-ups at senior levels of the Turkish military indicate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is placing his trust squarely with Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar. Syria
Moscow looking beyond Hifter in Libya Russia has an opportunity to play a significant role in achieving peace and political progress in Libya. North Africa
Will Jordan, Palestinians form confederation? Palestinian officials are pushing a plan for enhanced cooperation and confederative ties with Jordan. Palestine
Israel defends Palestinian land theft in court Even after Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit said that the Regularization law is unlawful as it steals private Palestinian lands, Israel continues to defend it in court. Palestine
Refugees’ fate in limbo as Iraqi Kurdistan referendum nears The Sept. 25 referendum on independence in Iraqi Kurdistan may turn the predominantly Sunni Arab displaced community into a new source of tension between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Iran urges IAEA to remain independent amid US pressure Iran’s foreign minister wrote a letter to the IAEA warning it not to fall for US pressure regarding the nuclear deal. Iran
Education key battleground as Rouhani’s second term begins As President Hassan Rouhani begins his second term, education emerges as a key political battleground. Iran
Iraq's Hakim moves out of Iran's shadow Ammar al-Hakim has left Iraq's Supreme Islamic Council and formed a new political party against Iran's wishes, indicating he is adopting an independent stance. Iraq
Deadly crash sparks calls for railway reform in Egypt After a train crash earlier this month left over 40 Egyptians dead, many are calling for a new approach to addressing the chronic problems facing the country's rail system. Egypt
Egypt's court media ban limits public access to trials Egypt’s Supreme Judicial Council has banned the media's use of audiovisual devices for all trials, stirring anger among journalists and human rights activists. Egypt
Mattis pledges Erdogan US support against PKK By all accounts, US Defense Secretary James Mattis' visit to Turkey, intended to smooth fraught relations between the two NATO allies, went better than expected. Turkey
Turkey's exporters fear extended holiday may devastate their businesses Turkey's tourism operators are overjoyed at the government decision to extend the Eid al-Adha break to 10 days, but exporters are furious at the potential loss in overseas business. Turkey
