'Bibimania' hits Israel The police investigations against Netanyahu have contributed to an increasingly divisive and corrosive atmosphere in Israel's public and politics. Israel
Egypt training opinion leaders as soldiers to fight 'fake' data The Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments is holding courses to teach imams, preachers and other influential leaders how to recognize and confront foreign misinformation — but some argue the plan is actually aimed at imposing the regime's view on citizens. Egypt
Turkey shells pro-Assad militias entering Afrin to aid Kurdish rebels Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s warnings fail to deter groups loyal to Damascus from entering the region where Turkey is fighting Kurdish forces, risking a new front line in the spiraling Syrian conflict. Syria
Pentagon stops budgeting for peshmerga salaries The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2019 budget doesn’t specifically dedicate payments for Iraq’s Kurdish fighting force after it stepped back from the front lines of the fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
Iranian rescuers find missing plane after two days of searching Iranian rescuers find the wreckage of a missing passenger plane after two days of searching. Iran
Six factors driving Iran’s sudden currency devaluation A confluence of political, economic and psychological factors appears to be behind the recent plunge in the Iranian currency’s value on the free market. Iran
'Black Friday' of Turkish democracy Three events from Feb. 16. — a deal to release a Turkish-German journalist, the verdict against three prominent journalists and censorship in the trial of a prominent Turkish-Kurdish politician — demonstrate how Turkey's democracy is being undermined. Turkey
Despite progress on paper, Turkey, US still leagues apart US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit may have averted a major clash, but the volatile situation in Syria will ensure that ties between Ankara and Washington remain fragile. Syria
Russia calls on Jordan to help stabilize Syrian 'safe' zones Jordan has been moving closer to Russia since Moscow gave it a growing role in Syria, a role that could include acting as a buffer there between Iran and Israel. Jordan
Hamas’ grip on Gaza weakens With smaller militant groups threatening Hamas' position in the Gaza Strip, the movement might decide to launch a military operation against Israel. Palestine
Iranian film on Tehran's role in Syria war creates controversy The first Iranian film depicting Tehran’s fight against Islamic State terrorists divides observers into two camps: those who think it is a great film by a great director and those who think it is just a cliche. Iran
Jordanians protest price hikes but in surprisingly small numbers Although few people have been taking part in protests against price hikes in Jordan, analysts believe the public movement could still make a difference. Jordan
Egyptian women say their time is coming in presidential races Despite their historical absence in contests for president, Egyptian women believe one of their own will run for president someday soon. Egypt
Egypt steps up military operations in Sinai ahead of elections The timing of an anti-terror military operation launched in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula has raised questions about President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s motives ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for March. Egypt
Najaf’s wax statues kindle meltdown for conservative Iraqi clerics The exhibition of wax sculptures in a museum in Najaf, a conservative Shiite city, marks a major reformist development and a cultural breakthrough. Iraq
Netanyahu’s real crime: Plundering land for settlers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be indicted for receiving gifts from businessmen, but he will not be indicted for giving the gift of Palestinian land to settlers. Palestine
