Palestinians express despair over Israeli leadership Palestinians are hoping for a Yitzhak Rabin-style Israeli leadership from the security establishment that will distance itself from current settlement annexation policies. Palestine
Baghdad objects to European plans to forcibly repatriate Iraqis Many European countries are trying to send Iraqi refugees whose asylum cases have been rejected back to Iraq, while Baghdad refuses to cooperate with the forcible return of its citizens. Iraq
How Israel created a Palestinian heroine By arresting Ahed Tamimi for slapping an IDF soldier, Israel turned her into a symbol of Palestinian resistance to the occupation. Palestine
US military aid to Egypt under scrutiny on uprising’s anniversary The Donald Trump administration has taken a harder line on military assistance to Egypt as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi moves away from Washington. Egypt
Iran’s Interior Ministry outlines 3 reasons for recent protests Iran’s Interior Ministry has issued a report on both the makeup of the Iran protests and reasons for them. Iran
Icelandic musician discovers fan base in unlikely place Young Iranians welcome the rare opportunity to see a popular international musician perform live in their country. Iran
Yemen’s southern separatists take case to Congress Yemen’s UAE-backed secessionists have hired a US lobby firm to build support for their cause as they threaten to overthrow the UN-backed government in Aden. United Arab Emirates
Saudi Arabia uses aggression abroad to calm clerics at home Saudi Arabia's leaders have become more sectarian and anti-Iran than ever, much to the pleasure of the Wahhabi clerical establishment, which has remained quiet about sweeping social reforms. Saudi Arabia
Turkey says US account of Trump-Erdogan call not 'accurate' A telephone conversation between the Turkish and US leaders has turned into a "he said-he said" affair as the gulf widens between the NATO allies over Syria. Syria
4 factors affecting Turkey's new operation in Syria As Turkey’s offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria nears the end of its first week, circumstances affecting the scope, progress and duration of the operation are complicated and full of risks. Syria
Can Brad Pitt save Turkey’s tourism industry? Turkey is looking to Hollywood for support as its tourism industry struggles to rebound from terrorism, last year's coup and a decline in tourist spending. Turkey
New Iraqi Kurdish alliance emerges as most parties still divided As Iraq's parliamentary elections approach, the rise of a new tripartite Kurdish political alliance has highlighted the level of divide among the rest of the Kurdish parties hoping to contest the election. Iraq
How innovators aim to solve Gaza’s environmental problems The Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority held an exhibition in the Gaza Strip showcasing innovative ideas to cope with the environmental problems in the besieged enclave. Palestine
Europe emerges as new sponsor of Mideast peace The European Union reassured Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about European support for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, but will the United States and Israel allow other parties to be involved in the Middle East peace process? Palestine
Libyan slave trade feeds on endless supply of migrants Heavy migration from sub-Saharan Africa combined with rampant lawlessness and poverty in the northwestern and southern regions make the smuggling business irresistible to some Libyans. Libya
US-Palestinian rift nothing for Israel to celebrate Israel shouldn’t rejoice over rift between the United States and the Palestinians as previous US administrations helped repeatedly to ease tensions and end violent clashes. Palestine
