Explosive art in Beirut explores power of cultural identity In an exhibition at the Saleh Barakat Gallery in Beirut, Lebanese artist Katya Traboulsi celebrates cultural diversity while highlighting the way that fear of difference drives a never-ending cycle of conflict. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia looks to expand its footprint in Iraq Following decades of setbacks and years of a rift, Saudi Arabia's rapprochement with Iraq and its support for stability there is accelerating, in what is deemed to be a fundamental change in the relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Iraq establishes National Oil Company To help further develop Iraq’s energy sector, parliament recently passed a law that establishes the National Oil Company for oil extraction and manufacturing. Iraq
Jerusalem electricity company crippled by Israel, Palestinian Authority The Jerusalem District Electricity Company, which supplies energy to 280,000 customers spanning four districts and employing more than 1,000 Palestinians, faces several challenges by the Israeli and Palestinian governments. Palestine
Foreign ministers set stage for Putin-Erdogan meeting in April Expect to see an effort to boost Russian-Turkish collaboration when the presidents of both countries meet in two weeks. Turkey
Turkey doubles down in pastor row with US American pastor Andrew Brunson, behind bars in Turkey on terrorism-related charges, risks up to 35 years in jail in a politically loaded case that critics describe as “an eclipse of reason.” Turkey
Rift within ultra-Orthodox politics affects coalition stability The reasons for the eruption of Israel’s latest political crisis, and the way it was handled, reflect division within the ultra-Orthodox parties and a leadership crisis. Israel
Will this woman be Israel's next political star? As Knesset member Orly Levy-Abekasis promotes her newly formed party, her popularity already points to a changing of the old guard in Israeli politics. Israel
Gaza farmers denounce Israel pesticide use along border Agricultural lands along the eastern Gaza border are being sprayed with pesticides by Israeli gliders, resulting in the destruction of cultivated crops on Palestinian lands. Palestine
Cairo looks to Sufi sheikhs to counter extremism A new Sufi order has been added to the 77 other orders that are recognized in Egypt; some believe that with this step, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is gearing up for the upcoming elections. Egypt
Why Palestinians say early elections in Israel would change nothing Palestinian sources estimate that whether or not Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu wins in the next election, settlement policies will persist. Palestine
Egypt unmoved on Ethiopia's plan to fill Renaissance Dam reservoir The Ethiopian government has released its plan for filling the reservoir of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, but Cairo is balking due to stalled technical and impact studies. Egypt
Egypt to 'partially privitize' railways Cairo's plan to involve the private sector in the management of its railways is intended to improve services and fight corruption, but some in Egypt see any movement toward privatization as a dangerous slide. Egypt
IRGC funding for cinema stirs debate in Iran Financial support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps becomes a heated topic in Iran’s cinema community. Iran
Iranian media abuzz over sudden Tehran mayor resignation The sudden resignation of Tehran’s Reformist mayor has surprised Reformist media and political activists alike. Iran
Turkey changes electoral law in boost for ruling party Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan say the new changes to the country’s voting rules will secure the elections, but the opposition worries the new law will lead to fraud and has filed a lawsuit to block it. Turkey
