Hamas raises eyebrows with condolences to Iran Hamas offered its condolences to Iran after an attack on a military parade killed dozens of people, including members of the Revolutionary Guard, and some see the gesture as an attempt to cozy up to the Islamic Republic. Palestine
As Gaza despairs, Hamas has one option left: intifada After the failure of Egypt-mediated Palestinian reconciliation, Gaza's deepening economic crisis has Hamas against a wall and violence lurks on the other side. Palestine
Iranian civic rights activists challenge authorities with hunger strikes Iranian authorities are increasingly challenged by a wave of hunger strikes conducted by civic rather than political activists. Iran
Palestinians try to move peace process forward without Trump Palestinians look to the United Nations to move peace process forward, bypassing the Donald Trump administration. Palestine
Israel opens school in mainly Palestinian East Jerusalem Israel has for the first time opened a school for Palestinians in the heart of East Jerusalem, shedding light on the state of the education system in that part of the city and raising concerns of Israeli encroachment in a predominantly Palestinian area. Palestine
Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea. Iraq
Manbij government denies Turkish patrol as Ankara pushes for access The local council of Manbij has denied Ankara's claim that Turkish forces will enter the city and conduct joint patrols with US forces, saying Turkey is looking for an excuse to keep a presence there. Syria
How Rouhani may be destroying his own Moderation camp If Iran’s president continues to focus on his future rather than the present, his continued failure to fulfill his campaign promises is likely to herald the end of his political career. Iran
Pushing multilateralism, Iran hosts regional security conference Iran hosted its first Regional Security Dialogue with senior security officials from China, India, Russia and Afghanistan as the Iranian media touts a positive UN General Assembly gathering for Tehran. Iran
Turkey’s glitzy shopping malls in dire straits amid currency woes Turkey’s once bustling shopping malls are grappling with severe financial woes, with many facing an uncertain future. Turkey
Is the two-state option headed back to center stage? The Likud and other right-wing parties are worried that recent meetings by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and with the opposition's Tzipi Livni could rekindle support for the two-state solution. Palestine
Hamas counters UNRWA funding cut with threat to bring students to border Hamas is promoting a plan to truck UNRWA students to the border with Israel to study in tents in protest of the refugee relief agency's reduced services to Palestinians. Palestine
Egypt’s stock market faces fluctuations over manipulation case A move to charge prominent investors, including sons of former President Hosni Mubarak, with stock market violations, has rattled the Egyptian Exchange, which was already on edge due to US trade policies and rising interest rates. Egypt
Medicine shortages leaving Turks desperate for help Patients who depend on pharmaceutical imports for the treatment of cancer and other chronic illnesses suffer as the government fails to reach a price agreement with suppliers. Turkey
Palestinian Authority, Jordan work to boost economic ties Palestinian and Jordanian ministers plan to hold intensive meetings in the next few months to tackle several issues related to joint trade cooperation between the two countries. Palestine
Damascene confectioners gain pounds in Beirut The sweet delights of Damascus, from cookies to pistachio-covered ice cream, are now available on Beirut's Hamra street, but not all of Lebanon is nuts about the Syrian offerings. Lebanon
