After 50 years, Israel opens up 'Land of the Monasteries’ Israel was late in recognizing the potential of the Qasr al-Yahud site, but it hopes to do better now that the region is cleared of landmines and will open to the public. Israel
Will the AKP reinstate Kurdish peace talks to win Istanbul elections? Ruling party officials have adopted the Kurdish issue as a campaign strategy in the upcoming Istanbul elections. Turkey
Meet Iraq's human rights advocate who lived through two genocides Dr. Widad Akreyi, who lived through the 1980s Anfal genocide and the 2014 Yazidi genocide, has become one of the major defenders of human rights in Iraq and beyond. Iraq
Iran frees 'American-Lebanese spy' Tehran has freed Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national and American resident, who was serving a 10-year jail term in Iran for espionage, but there is no clear indication of a wider prisoner swap deal with the US government. Iran
Ex-Tehran mayor's murder case stirs infighting among Reformists Confession to murder by Tehran's ex-mayor was perhaps the last thing Iran's already troubled Reform Movement needed ahead of key parliamentary polls next year. Iran
Istanbul mayoral candidates to debate in rare TV face-off Turkey will have its first major political debate since 2002 as the ruling party takes extraordinary measures ahead of the second vote for Istanbul mayor. Turkey
Iran’s concert tax infuriates artists, music fans Iran’s musicians worry that a new tax that chips away 10% of concert revenues would deliver a blow to their stage performances. Iran
Egypt's parliament considering banking system draft law Egypt’s new Central Bank of Egypt draft law could raise the minimum capital requirement for banks tenfold. Egypt
Pentagon official says 'campaign' of Iranian threats caused US Middle East surge A “campaign” of Iranian threats against US and allied forces pushed the Pentagon to send fresh troops and weapons to the Middle East last month, a top Defense Department international policy official said at an Al-Monitor breakfast today. U.S.
Turkey becomes new dump for global plastic waste Due to lax regulations, plastic scrap imports to Turkey have skyrocketed since 2018; why is the AKP letting the country turn into a global wastebasket? Turkey
Summer could be 'hot' in Palestine, PM warns Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has warned that this summer could be a “hot” one, but it is unclear whether Israel or the United States will take steps to keep temperatures down. Palestine
Will Egypt privatize electricity delivery? Two international companies have approached the Egyptian government about buying shares in three of its electricity stations, sparking discussion over the pros and cons of privatizing energy distribution. Originals
West Bank dash cams aim to cut accidents, improve driving The Palestinian Ministry of Transportation is equipping road safety patrol vehicles with cameras to monitor traffic in an attempt to reduce accidents. Palestine
Ex-FSA fighters recruited by Damascus to fight opposition in northern Syria Syrian government forces are resorting to former Free Syrian Army fighters who reached reconciliation agreements with the regime, in its offensive in northern Syria. Syria
Despite US pressure, expect regional players to phone in Manama meeting Several regional states will show up for the US-led conference in Bahrain, but none of them really believes it will promote Middle East peace. Saudi Arabia
Egyptian-Turkish trade: A love-hate relationship Egypt's free trade agreement with Turkey ends in 2020, but it is unclear whether it will be renewed in light of the political antipathy between the two countries' leaders. Egypt