Iranian banking reforms gain steam after long delay Progress on major banking reforms in Iran finally moves in the right direction after years of stalling. Iran
Turkey’s controversial wealth fund stumbles badly since hasty creation Turkey’s sovereign wealth fund, which holds key public assets worth $160 billion, has stumbled badly since its hasty creation in 2016. Turkey
Is Iranian state TV’s monopoly at risk? Iran’s state TV, which is facing a crisis over viewership since some of its best directors walked out, has found a strong rival in the home video network. Iran
Farmers' efforts fruitless after Israeli military drills Israel's army drills are razing thousands of acres of the Jordan Valley used by Palestinians for farmland and pastures. Israel
Syrian refugees find support, hope in Turkey's peaceful Kilis A vocational training center is helping Syrian refugees build new lives in the peaceful Turkish border town of Kilis, but more funding is needed to keep it going. Syria
Excavations start on Palestine’s oldest monastery St. Hilarion Monastery, named after the first monk in Palestine, gets international funding for a project that would enable its restoration in a two-year-long project. Palestine
Will Iraq's new 'tribal court' undermine rule of law? A group of tribal sheikhs will be appointed by the Ministry of Justice to intervene as arbitrators to resolve disputes and conflicts between Iraqi tribes, which some fear will undermine the rule of law in Iraq. Iraq
Egypt planning slew of IPOs to boost 2018-19 budget Listing 23 Egyptian state-owned companies on the stock exchange is among several steps that the recently announced state budget will rely on to achieve a 5.8% growth rate in the next fiscal year. Egypt
Uber, Careem drivers back on job as Egypt moves to regulate industry After their operations were suspended by a Cairo court, another put Uber and Careem back on Egyptian streets while the parliament drafts legislation to regulate ride-share companies. Egypt
Netanyahu invokes Holocaust to sow fear, hate As Israel marks Holocaust Remembrance Day April 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is shamelessly exploiting the tragedy against whomever objects to his policies. Israel
Libyans divided over presidential bid by Gadhafi's son With the backing of the tribes and communities who supported his father, Saif al-Islam could be bringing back the old regime with his run for president. Libya
Turkey squeezed as US-Russia tensions rise in Syria Since the suspected chemical weapons attack by Syrian regime forces in Douma, Turkey has been producing conflicting messages, visibly torn between its strategic interests in Syria and ties to NATO and the West. Syria
Have Iran, Russia and Turkey reached agreement on future Syrian state? The second trilateral summit between the presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey appears to have ushered further movement toward an understanding on the political endgame in Syria. Syria
Iranian conservatives predict limited US strike on Syria Iranian conservatives believe that a limited US attack on Syria is likely. Syria
Drones could make Turkey-Greece clashes less risky, but more frequent Disputes between Greece and Turkey over Aegean airspace go back decades, but drones could change the face of their encounters drastically. Turkey
