Iran hopeful about Europe remaining in nuclear deal Iran’s deputy foreign minister has expressed satisfaction with Europe's resistance to US pressures to kill the nuclear deal. United States
More skyscrapers pop up along Israeli skyline Israeli urban designers differ on whether condominium towers are the solution for land shortage or they create new problems, such as disconnect with street life. Israel
Olive Branch wins Erdogan friends at home, but risks standoff with US Despite the success of Ankara's Syrian military operation in closing Turkish ranks around him, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the possibility of a military confrontation between Turkey and the United States. Syria
Palestinians pay homage to poet Fadwa Tuqan Palestinians are commemorating the centenary of their great poet Fadwa Tuqan, a fighter for her country and her rights as a woman. Palestine
Jordan, Israel resume frosty relations It appears that Jordan has quietly accepted Israel’s apology for the killing of two Jordanians by an Israeli Embassy guard in Amman without the perpetrator being put on trial. Palestine
Palestinians wary of Israeli survey at Gaza border crossing The Israeli army has developed a survey for Palestinian travelers to fill out at the Erez crossing, in what some Palestinians argue is aimed at gathering intelligence information about the situation in Gaza. Palestine
Urban agriculture spreads in Gaza Local associations in Gaza are promoting urban and peri-urban agriculture to help marginalized families in light of the water crisis and food insecurity. Palestine
Israel moves forward with gradual annexation of West Bank The latest proposal to apply Israeli law on West Bank higher education institutions is part of the settlers’ strategy to gradually annex Palestinian lands. Palestine
Israeli politicians use supermarket law battle to shop for votes Residents of the embattled city of Ashdod are fed up with the political fight between Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri over forced store closures during the Sabbath. Israel
Critics bash Egyptian 'propaganda' film about Sisi A new movie about Egypt's tumultuous period after the fall of Mubarak has stirred controversy in the country over accusations that the government has a hand in the film. Egypt
Collectors hunt down forgeries as Arab art market flourishes As Middle Eastern art experiences an international boom, Lebanese collector Basel Dalloul is leading a drive to expose forgeries and follow more stringent standards for authentication. Lebanon
Qatar visit to the US aims to break Gulf gridlock Qatar is using a high-level visit to Washington to get the Donald Trump administration’s support to broker a deal to end the monthslong Saudi-led embargo. Qatar
What role will Moscow assume in Yemen's civil war? Russia is expanding its reputation as a mediator in various conflicts and could wield its influence in Yemen to bring both sides to the negotiating table. United Arab Emirates
Battle for strategic Syrian peak continues As Turkey fights to reclaim the strategic hilltop of Bursaya a second time, it's getting harder for the president to use the Olive Branch offensive to drum up support. Syria
Iran’s parliament rejects Rouhani’s anti-subsidy budget Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s budget proposal, which sought subsidy reforms, was rejected by Iran’s parliament. Iran
Iran’s regional allies keep close eye on protest aftermath While Iran’s regional allies have assured their supporters that the recent protests in the country are not a threat, the reality is that groups such as Hezbollah are highly vulnerable to any change in Iranian foreign policy. Iran
