Israel unsure about 'day after' Abbas, and even 'day before' The latest Israeli intelligence assessment raises concerns about explosions of violence not only in Gaza, but also in the West Bank in light of the diplomatic stalemate and uncertainty surrounding President Mahmoud Abbas' remaining time in office. Palestine
Settlement attack reignites counterterror debate in Israel The attack at the Har Adar settlement by a 37-year-old Palestinian destabilizes assessments by Israeli security agencies over the profile of potential Palestinian assailants. Palestine
Border crossings bring in cash for Free Syrian Army factions The Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army is racking up serious sums of money from fees it charges at border crossings in northern Syria. Syria
Former KRG PM emerges to shake up Kurdish politics The Kurdistan Region's independence referendum has opened the door for a new regional Kurdish movement promoted by a diverse coalition of dissidents, leftists, secularists and Islamists. Iraq
Online portal offers Palestinian diaspora piece of home A Palestinian businesswoman has adopted the tradition of gift baskets to bring a taste of homeland to Palestinian diaspora. Palestine
Palestinian neighbors deplore attack in West Bank settlement Israelis and Palestinians fear that the terror attack in the Har Adar settlement will ruin years of good neighborliness. Palestine
Egypt’s experimental theater raises ire of traditionalists The Cairo International Festival for Contemporary and Experimental Theatre remains one of the most prestigious events for theater groups that opt for novelty on stage — but is there an audience in Egypt? Egypt
King of pop remembered in Egyptian film Egypt has nominated "Sheikh Jackson," a film that portrays the torments of a cleric upon learning that his childhood hero is dead, for the 2018 Academy Award for best foreign language film. Egypt
Congress warns Kurds against further steps after independence vote The Kurdistan Regional Government’s decision to go ahead with its referendum has tempered years of robust congressional support for the Iraqi Kurds. Iraq
Interview Syrian Kurdish commander: We're 'ready to engage' with Damascus In an interview with Al-Monitor, a Syrian Kurdish commander says the United States should stay in Syria during the post-Islamic State process. Mazlum Kobane SDF commander in chief
Turkish court frees leading journalist as press trial drags on Prominent Turkish journalist Kadri Gursel has walked out of prison after 330 days, though the often ludicrous proceedings against him and 17 other Cumhuriyet journalists are far from over. Turkey
Iranian media say Barzani fixer for West, Israel Iranian officials accuse the West and Israel of being behind the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Anbar op aims to restore Iraqi-Syrian border Iraqi security forces launched an offensive in Anbar province in early September to cleanse the key Islamic State-held town of Qaim on the Syrian border. Iraq
Some Turks blame US for Kurdish independence vote Sources close to Turkey's ruling party say the United States secretly supports Iraqi Kurds' bid for independence as part of US plans for a "second Israel" in the region. Iraq
Is Trump about to reveal his Mideast peace plan? The meeting in New York between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and US President Donald Trump revived Palestinian optimism on the US Mideast peace plan. Palestine
Palestinian, Italian chefs share their love for food A joint cultural exchange program between Palestinians and Italians focused on food preparation and sports in two refugee camps in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
