Congress acts to jump-start Jordan’s private sector A key House panel voted this week to establish an enterprise fund that Amman had previously resisted. Jordan
Russia seeks well-rounded relations with Libyan factions Russian envoy on Libya Lev Dengov talks with Al-Monitor about Moscow's plans with Libya. Libya
Iran moves to tax its frequent travelers The Rouhani administration has come under fire for proposing higher departure taxes for Iranians who travel frequently. Iran
Trump's Jerusalem move puts US, Turkey on collision course The Organization of Islamic Cooperation convened in Istanbul this week to challenge Trump's decision on Jerusalem while the Trump administration prepares a new potential strategy for how to deal with Turkey. Israel
Turkey backtracking on 'red lines' for Syria's Kurds President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly agreed to accept Kurdish participation at the Syria congress in Sochi, as long as those Kurds do not belong to the Democratic Union Party. Syria
Jordan launches diplomatic offensive against US Jerusalem move How far can Jordan’s king go in opposing the US president's Jerusalem stance without risking a backlash that could hurt his strategic relationship with Washington? Palestine
Wataniya Mobile’s shares in Palestine on a losing streak Wataniya Mobile’s share price on the Palestine Stock Exchange has dropped below $1 following the company’s entry into the Gaza Strip market. Palestine
Gaza's cancer patients face nightmarish struggle to reach treatment In 2017, at least 20 patients in the Gaza Strip have died after not being allowed to access medical treatment in Israel and the West Bank. Palestine
Jordan’s refugees struggle through winter of discontent The UNHCR in Jordan tries to raise funds for refugees before the harsh winter through a handicrafts bazaar. Jordan
No peace meetings on Israeli education minister's watch Minister of Education Naftali Bennett is working not only to promote his ideological and political worldview in the school system, but also to block students from interacting with human rights and peace organizations that advocate values challenging his own. Palestine
Israeli government may step back from new national trail Many oppose an Israeli government proposal to develop a new national trail that would pass through the West Bank and the Golan Heights; the government may now only develop local trails instead. Palestine
Palestinians reject US mediation Palestinian leadership was shocked by US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Palestine
US envoy to the UN points finger at Iran in Yemen war Ambassador Nikki Haley vowed a tough US response after displaying what she called “concrete evidence” that Iran provided missiles that Houthi rebels used to target Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Congress advances bill imperiling Iran nuclear deal The House today passed a bill that could undermine the Iran nuclear deal by complicating civilian aircraft sales to Iran, but its future in the Senate remains murky. Congress
The genesis of a new Iranian nationalism The wave of nationalist sentiment in Iran is far from merely a reaction to outside threats such as the Islamic State and the Trump administration’s rhetoric. Iran
