Tehran issues deadline for bypass to US sanctions Iran is stepping up its pressure on Europe to devise a successful workaround that will provide economic relief from US sanctions. U.S.
Israel concerned over dire economy, unrest in West Bank The growing number of Palestinians involved in "popular terrorism" is evidently linked to Israel’s decision to deduct payments to Palestinian prisoners from the tax revenues of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
UAE diversification strategy lags despite growth in oil sector The United Arab Emirates is struggling somewhat with its economic diversification project as oil prices remain relatively low. Gulf
Blue and White clash as campaign messaging diverges Yair Lapid is already preparing for the day after the elections by campaigning against the ultra-Orthodox in a sign that he may quit the Blue and White Party if it loses. Israel
Journalists fear broad new law will stifle online news media in Turkey Free speech advocates fear a new law requiring licenses for web streaming services and online news broadcasters may be used to tighten censorship on the Turkish media. Turkey
Legitimization of racist party sullies Israel’s reputation Israel’s reputation has been sullied by the courting of Itamar Ben-Gvir, a disciple of the racist Rabbi Meir Kahane, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Right leader Ayelet Shaked in the run-up to Knesset elections in September. Israel
Zarif says he was sanctioned for refusing to meet Trump Iran’s foreign minister claims he was warned in New York that if he refused to meet Trump at the White House he would be sanctioned. U.S.
An artist's 'explosive' works convey hope amid death in Syria Akram Swedaan, an artist displaced from eastern Gouta, opposes war by transforming ammunition into canvases to create works of art. Syria
Iraqi Kurds actively support Ankara’s fight against the PKK Spurred by the killing of a Turkish Consulate staffer in Erbil last month, the Iraqi Kurdish administration is stepping up its cooperation with Turkey to rein in PKK activities in northern Iraq. Turkey
Egypt's Sisi taking his time picking vice president Egyptians are speculating about why the president has yet to appoint a vice president to fill in for him if necessary. Egypt
Feuding Syrian Kurdish political blocs dance around rapprochement As French and US initiatives for intra-Kurdish rapprochement in Syria stall, it seems that piecemeal defections from the Kurdish National Council to the Kurdish autonomous administration in the north of the country are the rule of the day. Syria
Beats for women: Turkey's star hijabi DJ leads dance revolution Turkey's popular DJ Safir says women love the freedom of her all-female shows regardless of their politics or ideology. Turkey
Egyptian army displaces northern Sinai residents Residents of northern Sinai continue to be forcefully evicted from their homes under the pretext of securing the area, while President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is widening the powers of the army. Egypt
Astana talks show Russia eager to keep plugging away at Idlib The new round of Syria talks in Kazakhstan produced a cease-fire in Idlib and the promise for a constitutional committee due to be announced in September, but will all of this ultimately happen? Syria
Iraq’s ever-increasing enforced disappearances The number of forcibly disappeared persons in Iraq remains significant, amid no serious measures from the Iraqi government to address the issue. Iraq
Division threatens Islamic Dawa after Maliki’s reelection The Islamic Dawa Party could on the verge of division after the reelection of Nouri al Maliki as its secretary-general; however, many party leaders see the party as continuing to be a strong and unified one. Iraq