Egypt raising awareness about mental illness The Ministry of Health and Population has launched a campaign to raise awareness of mental illness and to challenge the social stigma surrounding it. Egypt
Erdogan targets US envoy over escalating visa row Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tried to blame the suspension of Turkish visa applications to the United States on outgoing Ambassador John Bass, but US administration sources say Bass acted with full White House support and analysts judge the suspension of consular services as inevitable, if harsh. Turkey
Trump prompts Rouhani administration, IRGC to close ranks Despite their many differences, the Rouhani administration and the IRGC are showing a unified stance amid talk of a US plan to designate the Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. United States
Iranian universities enter Iraq The collapse of Iraq’s educational system in the years since the US-led invasion has paved the way for foreign actors to step in to fill the void. Iraq
Egypt moves toward criminalizing child marriage Many parents in rural Egypt feel no obligation to educate their daughters and instead seek to marry them off early; rights advocates want to put an end to the harmful tradition. Egypt
With appointment of new deputy chief, Hamas leadership more militant than ever The appointment of Saleh al-Arouri as Hamas’ No. 2 reflects the movement's desire to preserve ties with Iran, Hezbollah and Syria, and could mean trouble for political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh. Palestine
Bottom line in Syria: No one is safe yet A battle begins in Syria between opposition moderates and the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, as the latter also fights its radical rival, the Islamic State. Syria
Tax increase puts spotlight on Lebanon's miserable finances As Lebanon approves a tax hike to fund employee raises, experts warn the government to implement financial reforms or face default. Lebanon
Why Hamas should thank Netanyahu The Netanyahu government has done its fair share to strengthen Hamas as part of its efforts to weaken Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and distance the possibility of peacefully resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Pollster: Abbas would lose in elections, Fatah still safe Based on recent polling, should President Mahmoud Abbas decide to run for re-election, his chances of winning would be slim, while Fatah would fare better in legislative elections. Palestine
What's behind Cairo's call to unify expatriate groups? Egypt’s minister of immigration and expatriate affairs called for the unification of entities representing the Egyptian diaspora abroad under one association, an idea that was objected to by some given the obstacles it would face. Egypt
Palestinian refugees in Amman use painting to challenge UNRWA After the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East erased Palestinian symbols and slogans painted on the walls of a refugee camp's school in Jordan, artists gathered to duplicate messages on the structures facing the school. Jordan
Iran’s former president under more restrictions In Iran, former Reformist President Mohammad Khatami has reportedly been banned from public appearances for a period of three months. Iran
Iranian conservatives more divided than ever Five months after their defeat against Hassan Rouhani in Iran’s presidential elections, Iranian conservatives appear more divided than ever. Iran
Turkmens unite against Kurdish designs on Kirkuk Iraq's Turkmens hope opposition to the recent Kurdish independence referendum will help them strengthen their political presence and keep the Kurds from annexing Kirkuk. Iraq
Lebanon’s new wines step on stage Old and new vineyards show off their wines and present them to local and international buyers at Beirut's Vinifest. Lebanon
