Egypt approves green bonds to boost eco-friendly projects Experts are doubting the effectiveness of green bonds in Egypt, as the economic situation is staggering and awareness about the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly projects is rare in the country. Egypt
Italian-French competition over Libya pushing country toward more chaos The French-Italian competition over dominance in Libya is not helping the country; rather, it is further pushing it toward disintegration. Libya
Turkish aid agency caught in Netanyahu-Erdogan crossfire Israel's National Security Council has advised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to react to the recent vitriol from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with sanctions against a Turkish aid agency. Palestine
PA rebuffs Israeli bill to cut prisoners' payments The PA's Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, and several factional bodies and activists launched a national campaign against a newly approved Israeli bill deducting the stipends of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails from the PA tax revenues. Palestine
Jewish Arab village in the spotlight after Israel passes nationality law The Swiss Embassy picked the Jewish Arab village of Neve Shalom as the venue for its Independence Day events in protest of Israel's recently adopted nationality law. Palestine
What prompted Turkey to move US pastor from prison to house arrest? The United States must determine what best motivates Turkey when it comes to foreign policy and diplomacy: the carrot or the stick. Turkey
US pastor granted transfer to house arrest by Turkish court American pastor Andrew Brunson has won a long-awaited move from prison to house arrest from the Turkish court, which credited "health issues" for its reversal. Turkey
Is ‘national reconciliation’ Iran's key weapon to win economic war? A top pro-reform official in Iran said national unity and reconciliation are in the making to defuse the US-led economic pressure and media war against the country. Iran
Day trippers flock to Afrin’s orchards as Aleppo restores security As stability returns to Afrin, locals are flocking back to the area's peaceful nature and archaeological attractions faster than the tourist industry can reopen to benefit from renewed tourism. Syria
Summer exhibition displays Cairo's contemporary art scene Zamalek Art Gallery's traditional summer exhibit brings old masters together with budding young talent in Cairo. Egypt
Performing marriage lands Israeli rabbi in police detention The case of Rabbi Dov Haiyun, who was detained by police for officiating a wedding, demonstrates the hold of the Orthodox establishment on the lives of Israeli citizens. Israel
Israel detects Russian shift on Iran's presence in Syria Israeli military sources sense that President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin and even Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wouldn't object to Israel pushing Iran out of Syria. Israel
Turkey seeks to grab bigger share of halal market Turkey is setting up a Halal Accreditation Authority in the hope of boosting sales to fellow Muslim countries. Turkey
Terrorist attack on Erbil government building raises concern in Iraqi Kurdistan An attack on an Erbil government building highlights homegrown terror networks and reveals dangerous security fissures in Iraq's Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Lebanese divided over efforts to repatriate Syrian refugees In the absence of a unified government plan ensuring the displaced Syrians’ return to their country, Hezbollah moved to facilitate the return, which some parties welcomed while others prefer the Lebanese state take charge of this dossier. Lebanon
Egypt gives green light to rice imports amid water shortages Farmers in Egypt were appalled by the government’s decision to start importing rice as part of its strategy to contain the water crisis. Egypt
