Iraq elections: Will Sadr seek a new beginning with Turkey? Ankara is welcoming Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s stand against foreign intervention and military presence — as long as it doesn't apply to Turkey. Iraq
Iraqi politicians look to calm tensions in wake of US withdrawal from Iran deal The US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal poses questions about the role of the Iran-backed Shiite armed factions in bringing the US-Iranian confrontation into Iraq. Iraq
Can Iraq's Sadr swing nonsectarian government? Muqtada al-Sadr, whose alliance got the most votes in the May 12 elections, has been meeting with leaders of other alliances in the hope of forming form a nonsectarian "national" government that includes all components of Iraqi society. Iraq
Protests, arrests as Cairo metro fares skyrocket Sudden and drastic price hikes have upset the millions of Egyptians who depend on the Cairo metro every day. Egypt
Syria's Afrin rebuilds, welcoming back displaced citizens Municipal services have resumed in Afrin, Syria, two months after the Free Syrian Army, backed by the Turkish army, took control of the city. Syria
Troubling tactics of the Israeli Police The arrest and injury of Arab Israeli activist Jafar Farah raises questions about police brutality and the use of arrest as a deterrent. Israel
Israeli architects dissect flashpoint structures in Venice The curators say that their goal in creating this year’s Israeli architectural exhibit for the Venice Biennale was to offer up an honest and evocative model of five flashpoint Middle Eastern sites. Palestine
Morocco-Algeria tensions flare over claims of Hezbollah support to Polisario Morocco’s accusation that Hezbollah and Iran are plotting against it with the Polisario Front has escalated tension with Algeria. Lebanon
America’s hawkish turn on Iran threatens Gulf alliance Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s new Iran policy announcement could have repercussions on US efforts to save the Gulf Cooperation Council. Gulf
Pompeo outlines ‘maximum pressure’ plan for Iran Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would rally the world to impose crippling economic pressure on Iran to persuade it to submit to a broad set of demands, or face regime change. U.S.
Iranian MP: Fate of Iran deal determined in coming weeks The EU’s energy chief traveled to Tehran to meet with Iranian officials regarding saving the nuclear deal. Iran
Erdogan pushes Abbas to reconcile with Hamas Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls for inter-Palestinian reconciliation as part of his attempts to portray himself as the savior of Gaza. Palestine
Israel faces the unknown in post-Abbas era While Israel’s political leadership waits impatiently for the post-Abbas era, the country’s top security experts warn that Israel will miss the Palestinian leader. Palestine
After Iran deal exit, average Iranians worried about the future Uncertainty in the aftermath of the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is fueling pessimism about the future among ordinary Iranians. Iran
With few options remaining, Mosul votes for Abadi's coalition In a surprising shift, the people of Sunni-majority Mosul voted for the Shiite-led Nasr Coalition headed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Iraq