Turkey’s 'morally clean' TV series under fire Amid a big expansion in their foreign audience, Turkish TV series are barred from featuring alcohol, smoking and anything sexual, but are free to show unstinted violence. Turkey
Egypt to amend controversial NGO law as Sisi visits Washington Just before Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit to Washington, the minister of social solidarity announced that a new law governing the operations of nongovernmental organizations will be drafted. Egypt
Qatar boosts its influence in Gaza As Qatar works to alleviate the living conditions plaguing Palestinians due to the blockade, it also seeks to achieve greater influence in the Palestinian territories. Qatar
Is Fatah pressuring Palestinian parties to form Shtayyeh's government? Members of the Palestinian Democratic Union Party and the Palestinian People's Party submitted their resignation following the decision of their parties to participate in the new Palestinian government. Palestine
Israeli right's election victory buys more time for Netanyahu The right-wing achievement at the April 9 elections offers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more time to battle the expected indictment against him. Israel
Netanyahu’s ‘Annexation for Immunity’ formula Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes to get immunity in exchange for his willingness to annex West Bank settlements. Palestine
Ruling party to seek new election in Istanbul President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party said it is filing an appeal to cancel the results of the Istanbul mayoral election, citing irregularities, after the vote recount it sought has so far failed to change the outcome that saw it lose its longtime control of Turkey’s biggest city. Turkey
US eyes bigger role for Libyan warlord as civil war looms The United States has long struggled with how to handle Khalifa Hifter, as the former CIA asset has repeatedly threatened to march on the war-torn country’s capital. Libya
Will Iraq reemerge as battleground between the US, Iran? Iraq is primed to emerge as an area of mutual Iranian and American influence, although Tehran does not appear keen to initiate a direct confrontation. Iraq
Russia, Turkey look to strengthen relationship beyond Syria Contrary to expectations, in Moscow Syria was a marginal story while Putin and Erdogan focused on further boosting bilateral ties. Syria
Mosul faces political crisis after governor dismissed An arrest warrant has been issued for the governor of Ninevah province, of which Mosul is the capital, following a ferry accident that killed nearly 100 people. Iraq
Iranian elites rally behind IRGC after US terrorist designation Iranian elites from across the fray expressed solidarity with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after the US administration branded the military organization a terrorist organization. Iran
Egypt reaches out to AU with medical aid As Cairo shoulders the chairmanship of the African Union for 2019, Egypt has launched two major medical initiatives serving African refugees and residents of other AU states. Egypt
Syrian military keeps shelling Idlib despite demilitarized zone Turkish military patrols in the demilitarized zone in Idlib haven't kept the Syrian regime from shelling the area, and a Syrian opposition faction says it will respond in kind. Syria
