How Israeli senior officials deal with an unpredictable Trump The decisions by President Donald Trump to pull out of the Iranian nuke agreement, and recently to exit Syria, worry Israeli senior officials. Israel
Unclear future for Livni's daring diplomatic agenda After the dismantling of the Zionist Camp, Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua Party is almost the only party for which the diplomatic process remains at the top of its platform, and which doesn’t lean to the right or speak in vague terms. Israel
Intel: How Republicans are starting new Congress with rebuke of Trump’s Syria withdrawal The Republican-held Senate reconvened yesterday. Its first order of business? Rebuking President Donald Trump over his Syria policy. Syria
Ankara nurses hatred for McGurk Even now, after Brett McGurk resigned from his post as US envoy to the coalition against the Islamic State, Turkish officials are still seething with complaints about the man. Iraq
Hebron's only Orthodox church quiet on Christmas Hebron's once vibrant Russian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Holy Forefathers Church will host few visitors this Orthodox Christmas Eve on Jan. 6. Palestine
US sanctions and the dynamics of Iran’s petroleum sector While US sanctions are hitting Iran’s key energy sector hard, the industry remains set to advance, albeit at a slower pace and with a lower level of technology. Iran
Iran health minister resigns over budget cuts Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi has resigned as Iran’s minister of health over infighting regarding the budget and his treatment by the Rouhani administration. Iran
Turkish battle plan for Syria shaky despite Trump's promised pullout Turkey's initial satisfaction over the United States' abrupt Syria withdrawal announcement is being tempered by doubts over Washington’s true intentions and awareness of the obstacles that still remain to a Turkish incursion. Syria
US doubles down on military aid to Lebanon The Donald Trump administration is providing Lebanon’s army with more than $100 million in upgrades to tanks and attack helicopters. Lebanon
Turkish army brass at odds over military operation in Syria The Turkish government’s removal of two key commanders from active duty has revealed the discord in the Turkish military over the planned military operation east of the Euphrates River. Syria
Abbas attacks Netanyahu for letting Qatari funds into Gaza Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says Israel is aiding attacks on its own people by acting as a conduit for money to reach Hamas. Qatar
Egyptian silk producers hope to spin profits Egypt hopes that removing tariffs on the import of silkworms will encourage young entrepreneurs to cultivate them to help meet local demand. Egypt
Conflict over Iraqi federal government moves to provincial councils The dispute between Iraqi parliamentary blocs over ministerial portfolios has surfaced over the posts of the provinces' governors. Iraq
Can Museum of Raqqa's glory be restored? The Raqqa Civil Council and a local organization have begun restoring the Museum of Raqqa, but it is unclear whether it can reassemble the treasures removed from it during the occupations by Islamic State and the Free Syrian Army. Syria
Israel’s dangerous game on conditions of Palestinian prisoners The declaration by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan about worsening Palestinian prisoners’ conditions would only generate unrest in prisons and on the Palestinian street. Palestine