It's one Renaissance Dam thing after another Ethiopia has rejected Egypt's suggestion to get the World Bank involved in so far unsuccessful negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River. Egypt
Why Gaza merchants are forgiving debt A new social campaign in the Gaza Strip encourages debt forgiveness in light of people's economic straits due to the 11-year blockade. Palestine
Growing anger in Israel over refugee deportation Israeli academics, pilots and Holocaust survivors joined protests against the government’s decision to deport by force African asylum-seekers. Israel
GCC's silence on Turkey’s Afrin adventure is telling The Sunni Gulf states have failed to make a unified statement on Turkey's Operation Olive Branch in Syria, a sign of their competing interests. Gulf
Egypt makes it easier for churches to obtain licenses Egypt is allowing unlicensed Christian churches to operate while they go through the permitting process, which the country also is trying to streamline. Egypt
Russia’s role in Turkish incursion into Syria is tricky Turkey’s ironically named Operation Olive Branch, its latest quest to crush the Kurds on its border, will likely affect Moscow’s carefully engineered Syrian peace process. Syria
US, Europe huddle on Iran after Trump ultimatum The United States and major European powers are holding working group consultations to explore cooperation on Iran, but the Europeans say they will not renegotiate the nuclear deal. United States
Most Turks welcome army’s incursion into Kurdish-controlled northern Syria Many Turks are rallying behind the military operation launched over the weekend to undo the Syrian Kurds’ advances across the border, while activists accuse the government of criminalizing dissent. Syria
Young Palestinian engineers hope to race to victory in recycled car Twelve young Palestinian engineers built a racing car from scratch and will compete in the Formula Student Competition in the United Kingdom this summer. Palestine
Palestinian artist turns olive leaves into silver jewels Nadia Abu Ghattas turned her handicraft hobby into a profession that reflects her love of olive trees. Palestine
Iran's absence at Davos sparks speculation Following reports that he had canceled his trip, Iran’s Foreign Ministry claims Mohammad Javad Zarif never planned to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos this year. Iran
Iran's conservatives step up scrutiny on university students Principlists consolidate state control over Islamic Azad University in the aftermath of the recent protests in Iran. Iran
Turkey, Russia wage proxy war against Washington in Syria Syrian Kurds say Russia gave Turkey the green light for the Afrin operation after the Kurds refused to cede Afrin to the Syrian regime; can Turkey turn the situation to its long-term advantage? Syria
Tunisia protests highlight worrying decline in press freedoms Freedom of the press is at risk in Tunisia's post-revolution atmosphere, as violence against journalists rises amid a government crackdown. Tunisia
Netanyahu wants diplomacy, without diplomatic missions Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes statements about reinforcing Israel’s diplomatic outreach, but at the same time, he plans to close diplomatic missions abroad. Israel
Upholding car import customs does not benefit Egypt's local industry With stagnation plaguing Egypt's domestic car market, Cairo has decided to postpone reducing customs on importing European cars until the completion of a strategy to support the local car industry. Egypt
