Pentagon sees warning for China in Turkey's F-35 ouster The Pentagon says the US decision to boot Turkey from the F-35 program for buying a Russian missile system could have implications for nations that invest in Chinese technologies. Turkey
Turkish activists stand up against refugee deportations Human rights defenders in Turkey have raised their voices against the forced deportations of thousands of Syrians back to their war-torn country, urging Ankara to grant asylum rights to people fleeing oppression. Syria
Ennahda’s change of heart on presidential elections The Ennahda movement surprised many by putting forward a candidate, Abdel Fattah Mourou, for the presidential elections slated for September. Tunisia
What’s behind the Egypt, Cyprus rapprochement? Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have been taking steps to get closer to one another, culminating their rapprochement with the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum that would obstruct the Turkish drilling for gas in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, according to observes. Egypt
How this Palestinian committee works to end agreements with Israel A Palestinian committee is currently reviewing ways to end all agreements signed with Israel and break economic ties, but Palestinians are wary of such efforts as President Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly failed to put his promises into action. Palestine
Why Palestinians invest in zaatar and honey The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture's incentives have boosted production of zaatar and honey, two traditional Palestinian products. Palestine
How Russia maneuvers between Saudi Arabia, UAE in Yemen Moscow exercises hedging strategy in Yemen to preserve good times with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. Saudi Arabia
Camera issue fails to capture suppression of Arab Israeli vote The cameras in Arab-majority voting stations are a ploy to excite the Likud's base while high voter rates in the settlements — where votes shouldn't even legally be cast — pose a much bigger electoral issue. Palestine
Putin’s Gulf security plan depends on Trump The Russian president plans to roll out his regional initiative to calm Gulf tensions next month — but are the United States and the EU ready to let Putin step up in the Gulf? Saudi Arabia
Is Iran’s national broadcaster being pushed to brink of irrelevance? Iran's national broadcasting monopoly IRIB continues to play a partisan role in the country. Iran
Turkey, Syrian Kurds remain at odds in safe zone visions The US-Turkish deal on a safe zone in northern Syria has averted the prospect of Turkey fighting the Kurds, but the parties have stepped into a diplomatic minefield, where the interests and objectives do not match. Turkey
Will Iraqi Kurdistan government be able to solve PKK issue? Despite their deep rivalry, both the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) emphasize the importance of dealing with their longstanding conflicts peacefully. Iraq
Hoopla over minor Iranian election may herald big fallout in 2020 A normally negligible local election in the Iranian capital has brought the country’s political groups face to face, revealing that bigger clashes may be ahead as Iran’s 11th parliamentary elections draw near. Iran
Ramon Airport: Israel’s white elephant in the desert It’s been seven months since the festive inauguration of the Ramon Airport, which despite its hefty price tag, has failed to meet anyone's expectations. Israel
World-renowned Palestinian artist finds peace in Jerusalem Palestinian artist Kamal Boullata will be buried in Jerusalem despite resistance from the Israeli government. Palestine
