Egypt struggles to edge Qatar out of Palestine Egypt is trying to block Qatar from the Palestinian scene, but Israel is unlikely to be moved by its efforts, counting on the Qatari assistance that has helped avoid a humanitarian crisis. Qatar
Gazans hope protests lead to change as border clashes turn deadly Thousands of Palestinians participated in Friday protests along the Gaza-Israel border for the second week in a row, with clashes leaving at least seven dead. Palestine
Iraqi churches shoulder burden of reconstruction, for now In Iraq, churches have taken the lead in persuading and helping Christians return to towns razed by the Islamic State. Iraq
Turkey ramps up pharmaceutical expansion Amid a wave of government-driven nationalism, Turkey’s latest “national” project is to develop a strong pharmaceutical sector. Turkey
Humiliated Netanyahu scapegoats pro-democracy NGO Frantic to extract himself from his immigration failure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accusing a US-based nongovernmental organization called the New Israel Fund of sabotaging an agreement with Rwanda. Israel
Moroccan government lashes out at protest organizers in mining town The Moroccan government has accused Islamist and leftist movements of being behind the ongoing protests in the city of Jerada. Morocco
Abbas' decision to ban official travel to Gaza sparks controversy Following the bombing that targeted Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah during his visit to Gaza, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas banned PA officials from traveling to the strip. Palestine
Are Palestinians contemplating one-state solution? Now that demography indicates a Palestinian majority between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, a one-state solution could replace the vision of an independent Palestinian state. Palestine
Netanyahu moves to co-opt Independence Day celebrations Despite the tradition of the Knesset leading the April 18 festivities as a gesture of Israeli unity, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to preside over the celebrations himself. Israel
Netanyahu clashes with left-wing US Jews over migrants, Gaza The latest actions by Israel’s right-wing government are further straining historically bipartisan support in Congress. Palestine
White House says anti-IS fight in Syria ‘coming to rapid end’ The White House signaled that its mission in Syria will be focused on the narrow task of finishing off the Islamic State and will leave it to others to fund and conduct post-IS stabilization. Syria
Erdogan, Putin, Rouhani tout alliance, eye US for next move The presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran emerged from a summit on Syria as a united front, though the image hardly indicates an alignment in their priorities. Syria
Turkey hosts Iran, Russia to discuss Syria’s future Iran’s president traveled to Ankara for the second trilateral summit on Syria with Turkish and Russian counterparts. Syria
Turkey offers death benefits to its Syrian anti-Kurdish allies Kudos bestowed on Turkey's Free Syrian Army allies for their performance in Operation Olive Branch appear to have earned the fighters additional financial and medical support from the Turkish government. Syria
Aspiring filmmaker brings visual tricks to Gazans With basic equipment, aspiring filmmaker Mahmoud Alzaq takes his YouTube followers on a journey of visual tricks and illusions. Palestine
Iran-Iraq War continues to claim lives The vast number of anti-personnel mines planted during the Iran-Iraq War continue to maim and kill on both sides of the border, but Iran refuses to engage states and organizations with experience in de-mining. Iraq
