Who will run against Sisi in Egypt’s elections? Would-be candidates for the Egyptian presidential elections will most likely be unable to ensure enough support to participate in the race. Egypt
Iraq backs off plans to double number of US-trained counterterrorism forces With all of Iraq now liberated from the Islamic State, the elite Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service is shifting its focus away from large-scale battles. Iraq
Erdogan vows to 'destroy all terror nests' in Syria Turkey's president has sworn to "destroy" terror groups in Syria in an outburst likely triggered in part by the US-led coalition training a new Syrian border security force that will include YPG fighters. Syria
Questions persist as Canal Istanbul construction begins We have to hope Ankara has developed contingency plans for the potential political, economic, environmental and especially geostrategic consequences of the Canal Istanbul project. Turkey
Why protests won’t change Iran’s foreign policy The recent wave of unrest in Iran is unlikely to change the calculations that underpin the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy. Russia
Confrontation between Rouhani, hard-line clerics heats up Hard-line clerics rail against Iran’s moderate president over his remarks in favor of freedom of speech. Iran
Experts examine Erdogan's continuing escalation in Syria Decoding the Turkish president's harsh rhetoric on Syria is becoming increasingly difficult as he alienates almost all parties working to end the war. Syria
Saudi Arabia, Turkey watch Iran-Iraq oil rapprochement warily The oil swap deal between Iran and Iraq represents an opportunity to counterbalance Saudi-Iraq ties. Saudi Arabia
Syrian perfume-makers scent success in Egypt Syrian perfume-makers have continued their longstanding tradition of crafting fragrances in Egypt. Egypt
Netanyahu’s shortsighted Mideast policy Israel prefers to ignore the changes surrounding it, such as threats by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to cancel the Oslo Accord and Iran’s change of stance on the Arab Peace Initiative. Palestine
Hardcore Likud stands by Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support from Likud members runs deep, and it is related to the role played by the Likud Party in battling Mizrahi discrimination. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox women fuel change in traditional communities Ultra-Orthodox demographics are changing, with less children per family and more educated and employed women. Israel
Abbas lifts Gaza tax exemption, threatening further economic woes After taking over administrative control of the Gaza Strip, President Mahmoud Abbas has abolished tax exemptions in a bid to get more revenue from Gaza to balance expenses, disregarding the harsh economic conditions in the besieged enclave. Palestine
Jordan tones down rhetoric in response to US move against UNRWA Amid US threats to cut funding for UNRWA, Jordan appears to have opted for quiet diplomatic engagement with the United States rather than a confrontational approach. Palestine
Egypt grounds unlicensed drones Security concerns have led Egypt to regulate the use of drones, even as the country strives to become a leading manufacturer of the unmanned aerial vehicles. Egypt
Rivals may team up to defeat Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has expressed his solidarity with Iraqi Kurdistan, indicating the possibility of an alliance with his former rival Massoud Barzani. Iraq
