Prisoners exchanged for evacuees from pro-regime towns in Syrian north As part of a deal between the Syrian regime and the opposition fighters in northern Syria, thousands of government soldiers and civilians have been evacuated from the pro-regime towns of al-Foua and Kefraya in Idlib province in return for the regime's release of several batches of its detainees. Syria
Is there reason for hope with new Palestinian reconciliation bid? Hamas has officially agreed to a new reconciliation push sponsored by Egypt, and Fatah is expected to soon do the same. Palestine
Egypt goes against IMF advice, boosting public investments The International Monetary Fund is keen to reduce Egypt's investments in the country in favor of private investment, but the new government has decided to increase the amount it will spend. Egypt
Friction with US may affect Turkey's trajectory in NATO US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shared a fist bump in Brussels, but a figurative fistfight continues between Congress and Ankara. Turkey
UAE talks up diplomacy as Congress curtails US involvement in Yemen war Emirati officials are taking to Capitol Hill to say they’re giving the UN-brokered peace in Yemen a shot, but their patience is running out. Saudi Arabia
Woman elected to head opposition council in western Aleppo The new leader of the opposition council in western Aleppo plans to implement projects to benefit women and develop their potential. Syria
Turkey declines to raise interest rates, sending lira on another tumble Turkey's Central Bank has decided to keep interest rates where they are, surprising investors and dashing hopes that Turkish policies might evolve to meet the country's dismal economic reality. Turkey
Iran arrests top state managers as anti-corruption drive forges ahead Iran's judiciary is intensifying its crackdown on state managers accused of massive fraud amid a currency crisis the country is struggling to overcome. Iran
Detained pastor case casting large shadow over Turkish-US ties Complex criminal cases with political overtones makes the case of the American pastor Andrew Brunson more difficult to resolve than it might have been otherwise. Turkey
Khamenei adviser’s Moscow visit stirs foreign policy debate in Iran The lack of transparency surrounding Ayatollah Khamenei’s foreign policy adviser’s recent trip to Russia, including his announcement of a major deal for Russian investment, has caused heated debate among Iranians. Russia
Will Iranian Kurds be on front lines of US conflict with Iran? The US administration appears to increasingly be looking at armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups as part of its campaign to economically and militarily pressure Iran. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Can the private sector salvage Egypt’s dilapidated railway system? While a train accident in Egypt’s Giza governorate has placed the railway system's efficiency in the spotlight, experts remain optimistic about the government’s modernization plan. Egypt
Israel helps White Helmets, but rejects Syrian refugees The evacuation of White Helmets members and their families from Syria was an admirable gesture by Israel, but hardly enough to compensate for the expulsion of Syrians from the Golan Heights after the 1967 war. Israel
Russia zeroes in on returning Christians to Syrian homes Moscow is playing up the plight of displaced Christians to encourage Western states to contribute to Syria's reconstruction. Syria
Tunisian economy continues to struggle The Tunisian government just received another part of its loan from the International Monetary Fund and assures citizens it is taking appropriate measures to solve the country's economic crisis. Tunisia
Egyptians brace for disappointment as Cairo makes play for 2030 World Cup Cairo hopes that more professional lobbying and a possible joint bid with Morocco and Tunisia could make Egypt a host of the 2030 World Cup, but many citizens are wary of public embarrassment. Egypt
