Palestinians use embroidery, amulets to avert evil eye Embroideries that express political messages as well as identity and longings, together with amulets for averting evil, are on display in the Palestinian Museum. Palestine
'Erdoganism' makes Western debut at NATO summit Though US President Donald Trump is already claiming his share of headlines at the NATO summit, much of the world is waiting to get a look at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy approach now that his office has been granted expanded powers with his July 9 inauguration. Turkey
What's behind Turkey's rush to reopen Iraqi consulates? Turkey's consulate in Mosul has been closed since the building was seized by Islamic State militants in June 2014, but now Ankara is looking to make a comeback in its southeastern neighbor. Iraq
Kremlin pressed to legalize private military companies As Moscow pulls out troops from Syria, Putin is pressed at home to legalize private military companies and come clean about Russain mercenaries' role in Syria. Syria
Iran supreme leader’s top aide in Moscow to ‘deliver message’ Iran has dispatched to Russia a “special envoy” with a message for President Vladimir Putin only a few days before his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump in Helsinki. Syria
Why Iran's president won’t close strategic Strait of Hormuz While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s implicit threat to close the Strait of Hormuz has made headlines around the world, the real aim of his remarks appears to be domestic politicking. Iran
Turkey, Israel battle over Temple Mount Israel is looking into the increased flow of donations from Turkey into Muslim groups active on the Temple Mount. Israel
Why only Khamenei can break deadlock over global watchdog blacklist The heavily politicized debate in Iran over whether to ratify bills necessary to exit the FATF blacklist has reached a standstill that only the supreme leader seems able to break. Iran
Sisi grants privileges, immunity to Egypt's military brass Egypt’s parliament recently approved a draft law granting senior commanders of the armed forces ministerial and presidential privileges while allowing them to enjoy special immunity both in Egypt and abroad. Egypt
Syria's Assad seeks support of tribes against US, others Regime forces are recruiting Arab tribes to fight against the presence of US and other foreign troops in Syrian territories. Syria
Israeli president stands up against Arab discrimination In a letter to the prime minister and the Knesset, President Reuven Rivlin pleaded with Benjamin Netanyahu to remove a clause in the proposed Nationality Law that would make it legal to deny Arabs the right to live in Jewish villages. Israel
Egypt's Al-Azhar, Awqaf Ministry renew wrangling over fatwas The dispute between Egypt’s religious authority and the Ministry of Endowments has escalated over the ministry’s right to issue and challenge fatwas as stipulated in a new draft legislation. Egypt
Momentum builds for Iran to meet global financial watchdog requirements Iran’s political elite finally appear to have enough momentum to pass key measures to satisfy FATF’s demands for greater transparency and compliance with international standards, which will improve the changes of Iran and the European Union to build on their economic relations. Iran
Likud leadership loses touch with base as it panders to ultra-Orthodox, far right A poll on progressive Judaism indicates that most Likud supporters follow a more moderate line than the radical one espoused by the party leadership in an effort to court the far right. Israel
Gaza tunnel workers face greater risks, shrinking pay The tunnels used for smuggling goods between Gaza and Egypt are still operating despite the dangers posed by the Egyptian army’s campaign to destroy them. Palestine
Top Democrats urge Gulf to drop demand for Houthi surrender in Yemen Some of the House’s most hawkish Democratic leaders rebuked Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over their offensive on the key port of Hodeidah. Saudi Arabia
