Postponing Algeria's elections comes with opportunities, but also risks There is a growing likelihood that elections in Algeria will be postponed until later this year, which could give the popular movement more time to craft an agenda, but also allow the interim power structure to remain in place. Algeria
Egypt plans new maritime line to East Africa for increasing exports The Egyptian government will soon inaugurate a new maritime line from the port of Ain Sokhna to East African countries, with the aim of boosting trade and exports. Egypt
Group to boost Palestinian economy, cut link to Israel The Palestinian prime minister is heading a new group designed to inject vitality into the economy and strengthen partnerships among the public, private and civil sectors. Palestine
Netanyahu’s future coalition, the alliance of the underdogs? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is struggling to cobble together a coalition that would guarantee him immunity, with partners who consider themselves underdogs in Israeli society. Israel
Trump seeks to bypass Congress on Saudi weapons sales amid Yemen war dispute Democrats are concerned the Donald Trump administration may use emergency powers to bypass Congress on arms sales to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Istanbul's African community squeezed between small jobs, huge discrimination A new photo book highlights the bleak reality of Istanbul's African community in terms of employment and discrimination. Turkey
Istanbul’s opposition candidate urges supporters to retain faith in ballot box Ekrem Imamoglu launched his second election campaign for Istanbul mayor, pledging to cut the wastefulness he discovered during his brief tenure as mayor last month, before electoral officials canceled his victory. Turkey
Will open market operations signal new chapter in Iran’s financial leadership? The Central Bank of Iran will soon engage in open market operations for the first time, but lingering structural issues and the possibility of government meddling threaten the effectiveness of such a measure in curbing money supply and inflation. Iran
Khamenei further distances himself from Iran nuclear deal Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei further distanced himself from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran
Assyrian diaspora seeks to reconnect with homeland GISHRU, an association of Assyrians around the world, has been organizing visits to northern Iraq, to bridge the gap between the diaspora and the communities at home. Iraq
Turkey squeezed between Russia, US in Syria Turkey, pressed between Russia and the United States, is headed toward a foreign policy crash in addition to an economic one. Syria
US Bahrain conference premature The Bahrain conference demonstrates yet again the American lack of understanding of the region, and their mistaken belief that one could skip the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process. Bahrain
Egypt’s new free zone to serve development purposes As part of the Egyptian government development plan for Upper Egypt, a new free zone will be opened in Aswan to boost the economy, serve investors and create more jobs. Egypt
US grants Iraq reprieve to continue buying Iranian gas The US is allowing Iraq to keep purchasing gas from Iran without sanctions, to allow Baghdad time to develop alternate sources. Gulf
Egypt’s sports tourism under attack A bus carrying mostly South African tourists was attacked near the Giza pyramids in Cairo, ahead of the African Union Cup that Egypt will host this summer. Egypt
The PA moves forward in its disengagement from Israel The Palestinian government decided to appoint commercial attaches in the Palestinian embassies in a bid to promote national products abroad, which is seen as a step forward on the path of economic disengagement from Israel. Palestine
