US blacklists Iranian foreign minister After the United States placed sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, White House officials told the media that he was merely a propaganda chief not worth negotiating with; experts, however, said Zarif was an effective messenger for the Islamic Republic. United States
Iran's crackdown on corruption reaches elites The Iranian judiciary seems to have gotten serious about fighting corruption with speedy trials and harsh verdicts for powerful businessmen once thought untouchable. Iran
What's behind Israel's approval of construction permits for Palestinians? The decision of the Israeli security Cabinet to grant 715 construction permits for Palestinians and 6,000 permits for settlers mocks the Palestinians while hailing settlement policy. Palestine
Court ruling highlights divide in Turkish academia Though most of Turkey's academic world is applauding the Constitutional Court ruling that charges against their pro-peace colleagues violated their freedom of expression, a vocal pro-state minority feels otherwise. Turkey
Pentagon pushes Egypt to fight counterinsurgency campaign in Sinai The Pentagon used a visit by Egypt’s defense minister to push the US ally into a counterinsurgency-style approach to the fight against terror groups in the Sinai desert. Egypt
Has Turkey’s policy on Syrian refugees started to backfire? The Syrian refugee question is set to pose a major political headache for Erdogan in the coming period. Syria
Cost of doing politics endless harassment for leftist women in Turkey Young female politician Canan Kaftancioglu is perceived as the reason for Erdogan’s loss of Istanbul after 25 years and the president is determined to see her punished. Turkey
How avocado became king in this West Bank city Increasing numbers of Palestinian farmers in Qalqilya and Tulkarm are opting to grow avocados given the potential earnings from local demand as well as from export. Palestine
Syrian Turkmen groups return from Turkey to support opposition Turkey has encouraged Syrian Turkmen organizations to move to Syrian areas controlled by anti-regime militias. Syria
Israel, Egypt strengthen energy ties Strengthening ties in the field of energy between Israel and Egypt is a clear interest for both countries, but no less a significant American interest as well. Egypt
Syria’s Kurds feel brunt of Turkish-US crisis Turkey is sending military reinforcements to its border with Syria after two missiles were recently launched from Syria toward a border city, portending an imminent Turkish offensive in the area. Syria
Why northern Sinai graduates receive land, housing The governor of northern Sinai has allocated 2,500 acres of land to university graduates, which would provide them with employment opportunities at a time when the province is witnessing a boom in various development projects. Egypt
Why attempts to reform budget structure might hit a dead end in Iran While Iran's Planning and Budget Organization has ambitious plans for resolving the country's budgetary problems, upcoming elections, a lack of relevant data and other issues are blocking the path to these goals. Iran
Religious moderates left orphaned by Israeli politics Israel's progressive Zionist voters who are both religious and tolerant have no real political home these days. Israel
Intel: Democrats double down on probe into Trump’s Saudi nuclear dealings House Democrats on Tuesday shed more light on a years-long lobbying campaign in which Saudi Arabia and the US nuclear industry worked with some of President Donald Trump’s key allies to secure a favorable civil nuclear agreement. Saudi Arabia
Israel, US, Iran prepare for out-of-the-atmosphere battle Israel and the United States are together developing super-technologies that enable missiles to hit other missiles out of the atmosphere. Israel
