Iranian Reformists clash with hard-liners in drive to restrict child marriage A parliamentary bill to restrict child marriage is pitting hard-liners against Reformists in Iran. Iran
Violence escalates amid Israeli raid of Ramallah Israeli incursions into Ramallah, along with the absence of a political horizon for Palestinians, portend a continuation of recent violence. Palestine
Has France’s yellow vest fever reached Jordan? Six months into the new Jordanian government term, angry protesters take to the streets to demand economic and political reforms. Jordan
Are embattled Libyans ready to welcome another Gadhafi? Russia is playing an increasing role in efforts to end the Libyan crisis and is talking with parties representing all sides, including Seif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of late dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Libya
Will Israel ever learn from its UN mistakes? The failure by the United State and Israeli to pass a resolution condemning Hamas suggest that Israel needs to examine its understanding of the limits of its Middle Eastern relations and adjust its attitude toward the United Nations. Palestine
Despite protocol against death penalty, Gaza sentences six more to death A military court in the Gaza Strip sentenced six civilians to death over charges of collaborating with Israel, despite Palestine recently signing a UN protocol advocating the abolition of the death penalty. Palestine
Opposition group in Idlib orders extreme punishments One of two opposition governments in rebel-controlled Idlib, Syria, has implemented a form of Islamic Sharia punishment that calls for criminals to be executed, exiled or have their hands cut off. Syria
IDF races to contain Ramallah violence Israeli security agencies have been warning about Hamas increasing its West Bank activities, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to change his policies. Palestine
Hamas' fingerprints all over wave of terror in West Bank On the backdrop of the understanding with Israel over Gaza, Hamas is seeking other ways to bolster its image of resistance such as increasing attacks in the West Bank. Palestine
Egypt taps Asian markets for agricultural export growth Egypt signed a series of agreements to export its agricultural products to Asia, including China and Japan, in a bid to boost its ailing economy. Egypt
Lebanon's short-lived venture into outer space In the early 1960s, the Lebanese Rocket Society developed rockets to explore space and for other peaceful purposes, but its projects quickly attracted the attention of governments seeking military advantage. Lebanon
Saudi ambassador again departs US amid Khashoggi controversy Ambassador Khalid bin Salman, who has faced scrutiny over his public handling of the Jamal Khashoggi affair, has left Washington for the second time since the journalist’s killing. Saudi Arabia
What will 2019 have in store for dysfunctional GCC? The Gulf Cooperation has essentially been split in, with Qatar, Kuwait and Oman resisting the actions of Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman and the UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed. Gulf
Shrinking pie causes intense struggle over wages in Iran Stuck between a rock and a hard place, the Rouhani administration is under pressure to increase salaries while facing the threat of spiraling inflation. Iran
