Landowners waiting for next step in Jordan-Israel gas pipeline Members of the Jordanian Bar Association are readying lawsuits to challenge land expropriations for the construction of a pipeline for natural gas from Israel's Leviathan field. Israel
Stigma helps HIV spread in silence in Egypt HIV is spreading at an alarming rate in Egypt, where those at risk fear the social stigma almost as much as the health issues that come with it. Egypt
US negotiator: 'We will see' if Trump can be sold on Iran deal fix Washington's chief representative to US-European talks on the Iran nuclear deal said that while progress is being made in trans-Atlantic discussions, it's unclear if an agreement will be reached. United States
Fall of Afrin: Turkey’s Vietnam or Washington’s nightmare? Following the fall of the Syrian city of Afrin to Turkish forces March 18, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's threats to expand operations to other regions controlled by Syrian Kurdish forces seem credible. Syria
Turkey's tiny Saadet Party emerges as potential kingmaker The Islamist Saadet Party's message of reconciliation and more moderate approach to religion may build support beyond its conservative base, especially with voters disenchanted after 15 years under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Pompeo appointment cements notion in Tehran that US will exit Iran deal In Tehran, the reaction to the appointment of Pompeo as secretary of state is an increasing sense that Trump is bent on withdrawing from the nuclear deal. United States
Iran’s supreme leader urges people to support national products In his annual Nowruz speech, Ayatollah Khamenei called on Iranians to support domestic industry by buying locally made products. Iran
Can Israeli Labor head mend fences with party leaders? Israeli Labor Chairman Avi Gabbay now realizes that his strategy of attracting Likud voters has failed and that his own party is crashing in the polls. Israel
First female deputy of religious body comes at tough time for Turkish women Huriye Marti has assumed the highest office at Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs thus far by a woman, but is it a step in the right direction for the situation of women in Turkey? Turkey
Iraq to begin seizing assets of Saddam Hussein, cohorts The property of the regime of Saddam Hussein has become subject to confiscation, while many of the buildings are owned by political parties and occupied by current ministers and officials. Iraq
Why Sisi doesn't need official campaign Although many Egyptian shop and restaurant owners are hanging banners of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ahead of this month's presidential vote, it's not always out of a sense of true support. Egypt
Egypt prods Hamas on next PLC head Few details have emerged from meetings between a Hamas delegation and Egyptian officials last month, but it is believed that Hamas is being encouraged to cede its speakership in the Palestinian Legislative Council as part of a leadership succession plan. Palestine
Abbas’ revenge against Hamas, US, Israel Israeli officials believe that a decision by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to reimpose sanctions on Gaza is meant to entangle Israel and Hamas in a military adventure. Palestine
Lebanon's new electoral law could spell trouble for traditional parties With the new electoral law in Lebanon expected to fragment traditional parties' representation in parliament, Lebanese are divided over how the May 6 vote will change the legislature. Lebanon
Iran looms large as Congress casts Yemen war vote The Senate voted on US support for the Saudi-led war against the Houthis for the first time since the war began three years ago. Saudi Arabia
Blindsided Bahrain lobbies against Trump tariffs The major aluminum exporter and US Navy host has been blindsided by President Donald Trump’s 10% tariffs on aluminum. Bahrain
