Rouhani says Iran ready for 'respectful' negotiations Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said that the country will not "surrender" but is ready to hold talks with the United States on reviving the nuclear deal. United States
Why Syria's opposition council is opening offices in FSA-held areas The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces is opening offices in the Free Syrian Army-held areas to obtain the support of the people who believe such an institution to be a failure. Syria
Egypt muzzles media on US peace plan Egypt's security services issued strict instructions to Egyptian newspapers not to publish any views contrary to the government's official line on the US-proposed Palestian-Israeli peace deal. Palestine
Republicans push tepid Trump to sanction Turkey After huddling with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, Republican senators tell Al-Monitor that the president isn’t keen on sanctioning Turkey. Turkey
Apology of Barak to Israeli Arabs: Political but important Israeli Arabs are well aware that the apology of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak was politically motivated, but they welcome his action nonetheless. Israel
Turkish journalist describes murky world of sheikhs, lies and video tape A shocking tale of sexual abuse and exploitation has Turks reeling now that an investigative journalist has published new details about the cult of Ugur Korunmaz. Turkey
Intel: Pentagon chief says European-led Gulf initiative complements US On his first day on the job at the Pentagon, US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said that a fresh European-led initiative to defend ships transiting the Gulf was complementary to the Donald Trump administration’s separate efforts to gather allies to protect shipping in the region. United States
Turkey’s current account deficit shrinks, but budget gap widens Turkey’s chronic current account deficit has fallen to a 16-year low, but this ostensible improvement is hardly the outcome or harbinger of sound economic headway. Turkey
Intel: Why Russia is calling for rethinking Gulf security On Tuesday, Russia’s presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov laid out Russia’s proposal for collective security in the Persian Gulf. Russia
Abbas preserves security coordination despite its, and his, unpopularity Ongoing security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is one of the wonders of the complex relationship between the two parties. Palestine
Unease in Iran as 'Trump's duplicate' becomes British PM While politicians in Tehran were seeking a new opening with the UK after Boris Johnson found his way to 10 Downing Street, Iran's media received the news with little enthusiasm. Iran
Iraq seeks Iranian assistance to curb militias' reign Iraq's prime minister made a surprise visit to Tehran to request Iranian help in controlling Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Iraq
Hamas, let down by the Gulf states, revisits ties with Syria Hamas’ leaders have been exploring the restoration of ties with Syria in light of Gulf countries' engagement with the United States on a peace deal and therefore their increasing normalization of relations with Israel. Gulf
Egypt evaluates digital upgrades, prepares for more The Egyptian government is reporting advances toward achieving its goal of digital transformation in all sectors. Egypt
Israel accelerates demolition of Palestinian homes The Netanyahu government accelerates the demolition of Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, while increasing construction in settlements. Palestine
Syrians in Kurdish areas feel military service is unfair The Kurdish self-administration in Syria issued a new law forcing the youth to join military service. Iraq
