Iranian baby bottoms smacked as sanctions, hoarding create diaper crisis Diaper prices have doubled as the product joins the growing list of goods experiencing sudden price jumps in Iran as the nation struggles with sanctions and currency issues. Iran
Turkey and Germany huddle over looming Idlib operation German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’s visit to Ankara will, above all, serve as a platform for the two countries to discuss major military action expected in the last Syrian rebel stronghold of Idlib. Syria
Doubts surround Turkey’s efforts to revive its EU membership bid A Western diplomat says Ankara is unlikely to enact democratic reforms that would ease President Erdogan’s grip on power. Turkey
Shiite split heats up as Iraqi lawmakers fail to elect speaker Two Iraqi Shiite coalitions — one favored by the United States and the other by Iran — are competing hard to gain a majority in the parliament to form the next government. Iraq
Israeli court drops mask on support of occupation A ruling by the Jerusalem District Court legalizes the theft of Palestinian lands for the purpose of constructing homes in a Jewish settlement. Palestine
Will Jordanians, Palestinians accept a confederation? Any deal that doesn’t include an end to the Israeli control of areas it occupied in 1967 will not succeed, including the creation of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation. Palestine
Turkish military’s tradition of secularism facing tough test A recent controversy over who should lead prayers at mosques and prayer halls in military facilities shows the Turkish military is still a long way from striking a true balance between religious freedom and freedom from religion. Turkey
Egypt announces massive budget to develop Sinai The Egyptian government announced a plan to develop the Sinai Peninsula, with the aim to eliminate terrorism that is widespread in this volatile area. Egypt
Egypt to invest in restoration of war-torn countries Egyptian Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly recently issued a decree to form an action group aimed at investing a great deal of effort in the reconstruction of five Arab countries. Egypt
Egypt’s festivals fear future amid new funding regulations As Egypt's cultural season starts in September, many festival organizers worry that they will be unable to go on after recent additional bureaucratic measures and cuts in state aid. Egypt
Bumpy road ahead for Egypt's first female Coptic governor Women's rights activists and Christian figures rejoiced as Egypt appointed its first Coptic Christian woman as governor, but not everyone in the city of Damietta was delighted with the appointment. Egypt
Will Iran merge banks owned by military institutions? Though the merger of lenders affiliated with Iranian security institutions is an important step toward military divestment, the process faces many obstacles. Iran
Ahmadinejad squawks louder as Tehran cracks down on loyalists The Islamic Republic and its former president are caught in a feedback loop as his incessant attacks on top officials prompt further action against his remaining friends. Iran
Is 'The Wedding' new beginning for LGBTQ cinema in Egypt? Film director Sam Abbas' "The Wedding," which tells the story of a gay man forced into a heterosexual marriage, will be screened privately and by invitation only in the Middle East, making the already controversial movie even more controversial. Egypt
Entrepreneur brings blueberries to Lebanon Talal Nassereddine's Tout Berry Farms aims to make berry cultivation a big business in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. Lebanon
Why are Syria's IDPs returning home? UNHCR Filippo Grandi visits Douma, Syria; Jabhat al-Nusra dead-enders and foreign fighters face last stand in Idlib. Saudi Arabia
