Syria safe zone: Can US reconcile conflicting demands of Turkey, YPG A US delegation is visiting Turkey for "safe zone" talks amid the Turkish army's increasing activities along the Syrian border, which are signaling a possible new military operation. Syria
US hits back at Iran in Iraq as tensions rise The United States is targeting pro-Iranian politicians and militants in Iraq. Iraq
Special Forces face down impacts of war on terror The Pentagon’s Special Operations Command is planning to study the impacts of the 17-year war on terror in the Middle East on the force. Near East
Source: Iran FM met Rand Paul to feel out possible US-Iran talks US Senator Rand Paul reportedly spoke with Iran's foreign minister this week with the president's permission, and some experts believe the quiet meeting could be the beginnings of an effort to negotiate. United States
While the world focuses on Iran, a tragedy is ‘unfolding before our eyes’ in Idlib Trump asks Putin to protect Idlib; Putin seeks options to capitalize on impasse in Syria safe zone talks; Russia wins on S-400 sale to Turkey. Syria
Will Russia succeed where the US has failed? Russian President Vladimir Putin recently called his Palestinian counterpart, Mahmoud Abbas, and expressed his readiness to push the peace process forward and resume negotiations. Palestine
PMU decree unlikely to shift power balance in Iraq's Qaim As some Popular Mobilization Units prepare to comply with the prime minister’s recent decree incorporating them into other national security forces, the Shiite-led, non-local PMU seem to have the final say for now over who enters this Iraqi border city and who crosses into and out of Syria. Syria
Egypt takes another stab at reconciling Hamas, Fatah An Egyptian delegation has recently stepped up efforts to bring Fatah and Hamas closer, proposing a time line to advance rapprochement. Palestine
Civil society groups say Egypt's draft law falls short of real change Egypt’s parliament approved changes to a controversial law regulating the work of civil society organizations, but many of the groups are unimpressed and say the draft bill needs more work. Egypt
Cairo's long-awaited Naguib Mahfouz Museum disappoints It took Egypt 13 years to create a museum dedicated to literary giant Naguib Mahfouz and now that it has finally opened, many find it not worth the wait. Egypt
Former military officers jump into Tunisia’s political arena For the first time since Tunisia's independence, a political party founded by retired military officers will contest legislative elections. Tunisia
Why Trump’s embrace of Israel endangers it Three "American" chores await Israel’s next prime minister: explaining to President Donald Trump the importance of the two-state solution, regaining the trust of the Democrats and repairing ties with US Jewry. Israel
Intel: US drone shootdown sparks more Gulf tension US President Donald Trump said today that the United States destroyed an Iranian drone that came within 1,000 yards of an American vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Defense officials told CNN the drone was brought down today by electronic jamming. Iraq
Republicans sour on two-state solution Republican opposition to a resolution endorsing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflects the party’s drift away from a previously bipartisan pillar of US foreign policy. Palestine
Veil of mystery shrouds Turkish diplomat's murder in Erbil As Turkey buries its diplomat shot in Erbil, little information is emerging about the man Ankara's mourning as a martyr. Turkey
Netanyahu, Barak locked in dirtiest fight yet The upcoming Israeli elections are already reminiscent of 1999, when Ehud Barak and Benjamin Netanyahu first exchanged vitriolic rhetoric and outrageous accusations. Israel