Pentagon set to enhance Jordan’s counterterror troops The Pentagon is sending more than $22 million to help Jordan outfit its emerging special operations command and quick reaction force. Jordan
Turkish opposition remains own worst enemy Despite the claims of nationalist candidate Meral Aksener, the Turkish opposition is distressingly split and neither side has succeeded in drawing votes away from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party. Turkey
Iranian student stands up to Khamenei, calls for democratization Iran’s supreme leader met with a group of students and responded to a number of criticisms of his performance. Iran
Can the EU meet Iran’s expectations for keeping nuclear deal? As Iran and other remaining signatories to the JCPOA labor to keep the nuclear deal intact, rising regime cohesion amid Ayatollah Khamenei’s outlining of effective “red lines” indicate the predominance of realism in Tehran. Iran
Fears of foul play hang over Turkey’s critical elections Election integrity remains a top concern for Turkey’s opposition ahead of the June 24 polls, especially for the country’s main Kurdish party, whose showing could be of critical importance. Turkey
Iraqi war correspondents form committee to fight for rights A group of Iraqi war correspondents formed their own association to defend their rights, which they said were being neglected. Iraq
PA goes after mosque preachers who fail to toe the line Several mosque preachers were banned from taking to the pulpit on Fridays under the pretext of straying from the themes imposed by the Ministry of Endowments. Palestine
Netanyahu, Liberman ignore US efforts for peace deal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman continue advancing construction in West Bank settlements despite US President Donald Trump’s insistence that he wants to advance a peace deal. Palestine
Lebanese women determined to continue fight for more political representation Lebanon's 2018 parliamentary election has highlighted the dearth of women in parliament and the possible ways in which their numbers can be increased. Lebanon
Palestinian cartoonists capture Great Return March in pen and ink Despite economic and social hardships, Palestinian caricaturists stick to their art as a peaceful means of telling the world about their people's struggle. Palestine
Putin, Macron explore what they have to offer each other on Iran, Syria The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum set the stage for French President Emmanuel Macron to pursue a broad agenda and perhaps bring his country and Russia closer regarding Syria and Iran. Syria
Egypt holds labor union elections amid accusations of government interference While labor union elections kicked off in Egypt for the first time in 12 years, activists accused the government of trying to control the outcome by excluding certain candidates. Egypt
New Iraqi government will again require Iranian blessing While Iran may not be the winner in Iraq’s election, it will likely remain the final broker. Iraq
Will Sadr’s victory impact Russia-Iraq relations? The pragmatism displayed by Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr indicates that Moscow-Baghdad ties will continue — or even expand — when the new government is formed. Iraq
Iran-Israel restraint may hinge on nuclear deal As tensions between Iran and Israel reach new highs, saving the nuclear deal could be the only path to containing further dangerous escalation in the region. Israel
Israel pushes US to recognize Golan Heights sovereignty Some Israeli senior officials believe the Trump administration might agree to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Israel
