Small press brings e-books to Gaza The e-publisher Khota Books started with local authors and now offers Gazan readers both electronic and physical copies of works by international writers. Palestine
Former Cheney aide will not take Syria envoy post John Hannah, the national security adviser to former Vice President Dick Cheney, has decided to decline the post as the US administration casts about for heavyweight diplomats. Syria
Trump takes center stage in Abbas-Putin talks While the Russian president expressed a desire to play a role in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, he made it clear that Washington remains a key party in future talks. Palestine
Pakistani guard returns to Saudi Arabia Although the small force is officially there on a train-and-assist mission, the arrangement is reminiscent of a military practice from decades ago designed to protect the Saudi royal family from domestic and foreign threats. Saudi Arabia
Cairo removes Ottoman name amid Egypt-Turkey strife As tensions escalate between Egypt and Turkey, Cairo governorate has decided to rename Selim I street, named for the "grim" Ottoman sultan who conquered Egypt. Egypt
Turkish genealogy database fascinates, frightens Turks The government has made Turkey’s population registers public for the first time, identifying ethnic Armenians and other minorities, and excited Turks immediately crashed the system. Turkey
Barqa Museum in Nablus collects Palestinian heritage A family of collectors from Nablus has single-handedly created a museum of more than 5,000 pieces that reflect Palestine’s heritage since the Canaanite period. Palestine
What Trump needs to know about Iranians US President Donald Trump must take note of the erosion in goodwill toward the United States among Iranians before it is too late. United States
Netanyahu risks implication in third scandal After recommending to the attorney general to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in cases 1000 and 2000, investigators are now looking into another case involving Netanyahu and his associates. Israel
Turkey’s assault adds to 'climate of repression and decline' in northern Syria Iran tries to broker deal between Ankara and Damascus to contain fighting over Syrian Kurds. Syria
US seeks to double AK-47 supply to Syrian partners The Pentagon wants more firepower to help the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces secure territory seized from the Islamic State. Syria
Afrin puts Turkish-Iranian-Russian mistrust on full display More than anything, the situation in Afrin puts on full display the deep and lingering mistrust between Iran, Turkey and Russia. Syria
Anxious Turkish investors eyeing opportunities abroad Mounting political tensions, uncertainties and declining rule of law in Turkey are pushing Turkish entrepreneurs to consider investing abroad. United Arab Emirates
Iraq's Sistani becomes top target as elections approach Both militant and media efforts to undermine top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani are increasing, likely part of a campaign to reduce his influence and hold him and others accountable for corruption in the Iraqi government. Iraq
Will Great Mosque of Samarra and its minaret survive? The 1,200-year-old minaret of the Great Mosque in Samarra is in dire need of restoration, which the Iraqi authorities and UNESCO have started working on. Iraq
Tillerson deviates from Trump's position on Palestinian refugee agency US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson supports developing a sustainable funding mechanism for UNRWA, but it is unclear whether he can convince anyone else in the Trump administration of such an approach. Palestine
