Explosions at arms depot dent peshmerga's confidence in leadership Recent explosions at several weapons and ammunition depots have deepened mistrust between rank-and-file peshmerga forces and their leadership in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Iranian teenage dancer's arrest sparks backlash as tolerance for radicalism drops The backlash in the wake of Iran’s arrest of an Iranian teenage girl for posting dance clips on social media highlights significantly reduced tolerance for hard-liner excesses among the public. Iran
Iran's president mired in palace intrigue amid rising US pressure While fighting US pressure as well as radicals at home, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is mired in a rivalry within his own inner circle. Iran
Israeli protesters seek return to destroyed West Bank settlements Settlers are now demanding to cancel the disengagement out of four West Bank settlements destroyed in the framework of the 2005 Gaza withdrawal. Palestine
Israeli Druze feel abandoned over new Nationality Law The Israeli Druze community feels that the Nationality Law turns them into second-class citizens, ignoring their loyalty and contribution to the state. Israel
Egypt launches massive wind farm Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched several projects, including one of the largest wind farms in the world, which experts say will help the country overcome its crippling power crisis. Egypt
Qatari envoy to Gaza rouses Hamas' ire Palestinians have expressed their anger at the Qatari ambassador’s statements in which he claimed that Hamas and Israel are conducting secret negations to avoid war. Qatar
EU condemns Israel's new nationality law The European Union is concerned by Israel's new law defining a Jewish nation-state, protesting that it is discriminatory and will hinder a two-state solution. Palestine
Syrians in opposition-held areas near Aleppo obtain new IDs With Turkey’s help, al-Bab’s local council started issuing new IDs to Syrians who had lost them in the war, a move that will soon be applicable in the entire Euphrates Shield area. Syria
Turkey makes payout to families of FSA fighters killed in Afrin operation The Turkish government has paid the families of Free Syrian Army militants killed in Operation Olive Branch a death gratuity, though the families of those Syrians killed in other operations are still waiting for aid. Syria
Egyptian street dancers face fines, jail time over 'Kiki challenge' Egypt's religious and law enforcement authorities have demanded Egyptians stop participating in an internet trend that has people dancing alongside moving cars. Egypt
Washington ratchets up sanctions threats against Turkey President Donald Trump threatened to impose sanctions on the same day the Senate advanced a bill restricting Turkey’s access to financial assistance. Turkey
Trump lashes out at Erdogan, threatens sanctions over Brunson The strain between Turkey and the United States hits another high point as the US president threatened Ankara with "large sanctions" if it does not free detained American pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey
Iran's Soleimani continues war of words with Trump The head of Iran’s Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, responded to President Donald Trump’s tweet threatening Iran. Yemen
Iran maneuvers to protect its interests in Syria Iran’s strategy on Syria enters a more proactive phase as the Islamic Republic maneuvers to keep its interests, including its partnership with Russia, intact. Syria
Why Syria's Kurds are inclined to negotiate with Damascus As the Syrian regime regains control of more areas from opposition forces, and given US claims of a desire to withdraw troops, Syria's Kurds seem to be inclined to engage in talks with Damascus. Syria
