Children bear traumatic costs of Israeli-Palestinian gambits Both Israeli and Palestinian children are paying a high price in lifelong trauma for politicians' violent and careless promises. Palestine
Khamenei’s foreign policy adviser turns to the right Veteran Iranian politician Ali Akbar Velayati appears to be positioning himself to become the head of the Principlist movement. Iran
Abbas not adopting Turkish rage against US Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas consults Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan leaders concerning the Jerusalem proclamation crisis. Saudi Arabia
Algeria takes independent approach to Qatar crisis A recent meeting between Qatar's foreign minister and Algeria's prime minister highlights Algiers' unique strategy in the wake of the GCC-Qatar rift. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi Christians return after IS amid safety concerns A year after their liberation from IS, Christian towns in Iraq are populated once again by their original inhabitants, but many remain wary about returning home. Iraq
Iraq once again controls own economy, free of UN sanctions Iraqis await promising foreign investments and a political and economic opening to the world now that the UN has lifted decadeslong sanctions imposed after Iraq invaded Kuwait. Iraq
Pentagon surges weapons into Middle East terror fight The Pentagon is using a little-known fund to give a boost to counterterrorism operations throughout the Middle East. Jordan
Russia finds neutral zones in Syria essential but tricky Moscow hopes to focus soon on rebuilding Syria's shattered infrastructure, but first must help restore stability, which could prove much more difficult. Syria
Turkey's 'war machine' goes global The ambitious Turkish gendarmerie command is seeking to form a cooperative agency with countries in and around Central Asia as part of its increased involvement in Turkey's foreign policy. Turkey
US, Israel isolated as UN votes in defiance of Trump on Jerusalem The overwhelming vote at the UN General Assembly meeting against the US move on Jerusalem will not bring peace any closer, but it does restore a sense of integrity to the world body. Palestine
Kurdistan protests more unrest than uprising Parts of Iraqi Kurdistan are witnessing turmoil as people living primarily around Sulaimaniyah are demonstrating against the Kurdistan Regional Government, but what's behind the turbulence? Iraqi-Kurdistan
Why Hamas is offering Abbas Gaza on a silver platter Hamas' leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, admits that the movement has failed at managing the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Ready or not, Libya to hold elections in spring Libya is set to hold elections in the spring of 2018, although political and security instability bode ill for the process. Libya
Jordan-Israel ties languish in wake of Trump’s Jerusalem move US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move the US Embassy there has added a new twist to the already strained relations between Israel and Jordan. Palestine
Rival governments in northern Syria are at it again Two rival local governments affiliated with the opposition in Idlib province are vying for influence and power, which could further escalate tensions between them. Syria
Turkey-UAE rift may have unintended spillover The conflict between Ankara and Abu Dhabi may spill over into Turkey's ties with Saudi Arabia and the United States. Gulf
