Will Abbas meet with Pompeo? The current assessment among Palestinian officials is that they should not turn down the American offer to meet with Mike Pompeo, the new secretary of state. Palestine
Israeli, Palestinian candidates share electoral list in Jerusalem first For the first time in history, Palestinians and Israelis are joining hands and running in the same electoral list in Jerusalem's municipal elections. Palestine
Libya finance minister: Political divide blocking economic reform In an interview with Al-Monitor, GNA Finance Minister Osama Hamad discussed the impact of the political division on the economic situation in Libya. Libya
US advances confidence-building measures toward Palestinians The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah refuses to negotiate with US administration envoys, but might be willing to indirectly discuss an interim agreement. Palestine
Teacher strike puts Tunisian kids' year of studies at risk This school year might not be counted in the Tunisian educational system unless the striking teachers and the government can resolve their differences. Tunisia
Economic disobedience looms in Gaza Gaza’s private sector is threatening to start acts of economic disobedience in a bid to pressure the Palestinian Authority and Israel into alleviating the economic crisis plaguing the enclave. Palestine
Palestinian writers rejoice as one of their own wins 'Arab Booker' With his dystopian novel “The Second War of the Dog,” Ibrahim Nasrallah won the 2018 International Prize for Arab Fiction in yet another victory for Palestinian literature. Palestine
New Israeli party highlights influence of Likud's 'DNA' Knesset member Orly Levy-Abekasis will join a growing list of right-wing party leaders who emerged from the Likud and who hold power throughout the ranks of the Israeli government. Israel
Can 'nudge theory’ change citizens’ behavior, government policy in Lebanon? An upcoming conference on behavioral economics in Beirut will examine a political tool that could shape national policies and improve public services. Lebanon
Iraq’s Shiite militias hope battlefield wins can secure electoral victory An electoral coalition formed by some pro-Iranian Shiite Popular Mobilization Units is confident it can secure enough seats in parliament to form a majority and claim the premiership. Iraq
Egyptian artist brings Saudi women, men to same stage The Egyptian theater troupe Masrah Masr enjoys popularity across the region, but can it become a model for Saudi Arabia's performing arts scene? Saudi Arabia
Is Erdogan’s re-election a foregone conclusion? Kurdish sources say that if the presidential election goes to a second round, Kurds would not vote for Good Party leader Meral Aksener but certainly would vote for former President Abdullah Gul if he were on the ballot. Turkey
Turkish opposition dejected as ex-president shuns presidential race Former Turkish President Abdullah Gul will not run in the swiftly approaching elections, and no other candidate stands much of a chance against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Boeing finds other buyers as prospects for Iran sales dwindle There is a sense of deja vu as Boeing finds other countries, including the United Arab Emirates, to fill its order books amid US government pressure. United States
Egypt, Russia making most of collaboration prospects Moscow and Cairo are fostering cooperation in various areas and are sure to maintain close bilateral relations in the midterm. Egypt
Turkish women demand safer, cleaner spaces in mosques Observant Muslim women have won their struggle to access all public buildings in Turkey and will now take on the mosques. Turkey
