Iranians enraged by Rouhani's no-show in flood-stricken areas President Hassan Rouhani is under fire for failing to visit areas hit hard by deadly floods that have marred Nowruz vacations for many Iranians. Iran
Syrian Kurds remain wary of US plan for Turkish safe zone While the United States is pushing for a safe zone along the Turkish border in Syria to protect both sides, analysts warn that meeting their conflicting needs may prove impossible. Syria
Iraq tells Mideast leaders Baghdad will take no sides Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has been busy meeting with regional leaders to expand Iraq's economic ties and promote an impartial political role in the Arab World. Iraq
Is Egypt tightening its grip on the media? Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation is using new bylaws to block and fine a website it claims engaged in defamation, but journalists worry the media watchdog may be going too far to limit their freedom to work in the country. Egypt
Israeli guards crack down as Palestinian prisoners rebel Palestinians reject new measures taken against them in Israeli prisons, most notably the installation of electronic jamming devices suspected of causing cancer. Palestine
Netflix shakes up Egyptian film, TV industry A year after "The Secret of Nile" became the first Egyptian series on Netflix, more Egyptian productions are finding their way to the streaming service. Egypt
Escalation on Gaza border: Hamas dominated by military branch The rockets fired against Israel on Monday, just days after rockets were fired on Tel Aviv, prove that Hamas' claim of “a mistake” is false and that it indeed intended to launch the rockets. Palestine
New heights of irresponsibility over the Golan President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do not care that recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could destroy all chances for peace between Israel and the Arab world. Palestine
Interview Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region Qatari spokesperson says the split among the Gulf states compromises the security of the region and that thousands of families are already paying a price.
AIPAC waters down anti-BDS push on Capitol Hill amid Democratic row With Democrats controlling the House, AIPAC is diluting its congressional push for anti-boycott legislation. Palestine
Pentagon sustains budget for arming local anti-IS forces amid US pullout The Donald Trump administration's envoy for Syria issues said the United States is keeping “very limited” numbers of troops in the country as the Pentagon continues to build up the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Syria
Russian businesses wary of Syria reconstruction investments Russia faces many barriers in its bid to invest in Syria's reconstruction, including excessive Syrian bureaucracy. Syria
Egypt’s Eastern Company listed 4.5% of shares on stock market The Eastern Company’s public offering, which resulted in Saudi investors buying 25% of the listing worth $23 million, raises questions about illicit profits within the government. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan draws huge crowds, but needs more than base to win Critics say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is using survival and terrorism rhetoric to whip up support and distract from the economy, hoping that voters will be drawn by appeals to their political identity. Turkey
IRGC commanders begin to reprimand Iranians for electing Rouhani Ultraconservative commanders in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now openly criticizing voters for electing Hassan Rouhani, whose performance they view as the root cause of the country's economic woes. Iran
