'Don't send us to our death' Saudi sisters beg Turkey Two sisters from Saudi Arabia are fighting deportation from Turkey, where they fled violence back home, but the court order still stands. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani: No one above the law, not even Prophet Muhammad Iranian President Hassan Rouhani calls for more transparency in government-funded institutions, saying laws must be applied impartially. Iran
Iran willing to normalize ties with KRG, but not without change Having helped bring the Iraqi Kurdish leadership to its knees, Tehran has increased its sway over the future of Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
Israeli right wing joins anti-corruption battle Several members of the right-wing camp have recently joined the protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is suspected of corruption. Israel
How Israel enables discrimination against ultra-Orthodox women Those praising Israeli democracy must remember that women are constantly discriminated against by ultra-Orthodox parties that are part of the ruling coalition. Israel
How Egyptians are fighting forced marriage Forced marriage in rural areas, especially in Upper Egypt, has become so rampant that several women and civil institutions launched campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of such practices. Egypt
How ‘Kurdistan’ became illegal in Turkey, again The Turkey of 2013 and the Turkey of 2017 are very different places, which is why uttering the word “Kurdistan” is once again a punishable offense in the parliament. Turkey
Gaza e-clinic crosses borders to offer medical advice Two engineers from the Gaza Strip are preparing to launch an app where patients can communicate with doctors from the Palestinian territories and other countries. Palestine
Syrian opposition skeptical of Russian troop pullout While some opposition factions hope Russia's reported military withdrawal from Syria will encourage a political solution, others fear Iran and regime forces will exploit the vacuum. Syria
In retreat, IS takes advantage of Libya's political divide Rival forces in Libya are fighting an Islamic State insurgency after the group suffered major blows across the country. Libya
Egyptian women’s groups unite behind domestic violence bill Women’s organizations have prepared a bill to fight violence against women, but the measure is likely to face religious and social pushback in Egypt's conservative society. Egypt
Pilgrims celebrate Christmas under Church of the Nativity's new roof Bethlehem's ancient Church of the Nativity is undergoing a long overdue renovation, and its wooden roof and mosaics have been restored in time for Christmas. Palestine
Congress calls Trump’s bluff on threat to cut aid over UN vote Democratic lawmakers made clear they will oppose any move to slash assistance to countries that vote at the United Nations to criticize the president's position on Jerusalem. Palestine
US says Saudis agree to lift blockade on key Yemen port The Saudis announced they will lift a blockade on a key Yemen port after growing pressure from the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia
Are hit squads about to take aim at Turkey's dissidents abroad? A Turkish parliamentarian has told Al-Monitor that Western officials believe dissidents and religious minority leaders in exile are being targeted by Turkish government operatives for assassination. Turkey
Iconic Armenian church survives war but not plunder in Turkey The Surp Giragos Armenian Church in Diyarbakir enters the Christmas season as a victim of plunder and vandalism, despite its location in a sealed-off area with heavy security presence. Turkey
