Meet Iran’s likely next hardliner-in-chief Iranian hard-liners appear set to be led by a new yet seasoned face, Mohammad-Mahdi Mir-Baqeri. Iran
Turkey's steel wars heat up While gearing up for countermeasures against US steel tariffs, Turkey faces a fresh challenge from regional steel producers who are increasingly targeting its own market. Turkey
Disputes over election results threaten conflict in Iraq's Kirkuk Kirkuk has witnessed major political and security tensions since the elections on May 12, which may cause an ethnic crisis between Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens. Iraq
Iraqi parties intensify calls to challenge election results Some Iraqi political parties are challenging the results of recent parliamentary elections, citing fraud and faulty electronic voting technology, but those who support the election results say a vote recount could lead to a civil war. Iraq
Middle Eastern artists give traditional art a modern twist Bahraini weaving, Palestinian embroidery and Iraqi miniatures are among the traditional art forms being reinvented and adapted by the Middle Eastern artists competing for the fifth edition of the Jameel Prize. Palestine
Palestinian, American Christians meet in Bethlehem The unity between Christians from abroad and fellow Christians in Palestine gives Palestinians hope they can stay put on their land. Palestine
Will Hamas, Israel reach a truce agreement? Palestinians fear that the recent influx of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip could force Hamas to pay exorbitant political costs that could harm the Palestinian cause and pave the way for approval of the US “deal of the century” that they categorically reject. Palestine
Arab towns in Israel witness increased crime, violence against women The crime rate in the Palestinian towns of Israel is on the rise and likely to continue, as Israeli security forces face accusations of not enforcing their laws there and letting the perpetrators roam free. Palestine
Is Trump really so popular in Israel? Contrary to the popular belief that all Israelis applaud US President Donald Trump's policies, center and left-wing politicians worry that the Trump-Netanyahu axis distances an agreement with the Palestinians and isolates Israel on Iran. Palestine
Netanyahu breathes easier as ultra-Orthodox draft crisis cools Israel's ultra-Orthodox draft crisis seems likely to be resolved, leaving the governing coalition intact until the next scheduled elections. Israel
Can Egypt’s Central Bank save thousands of faltering factories? The Egyptian Central Bank launched a new initiative to save more than 5,000 faltering factories by repaying their loans. Egypt
Is it true that Afrin's natives can't go home again? The battle appears to be over in Afrin, Syria, but a war of words, and worse, continues there as the Kurdish People’s Protection Units accuse the Turkish army and its affiliated militias of forcing demographic change. Syria
