Children even fair game in Israel’s election campaign Right-wing politicians are either silent or support the expulsion of Filipino mothers and their Israel-born children. Israel
The interplay between exchange rates and inflation in Iran While the Iranian rial has strengthened against the dollar, inflation remains high, and the budget deficit is not helping the matter. Iran
Crisis-hit Turkey suffers erosion in investments Turkey’s economic downturn has been marked by a dramatic decline in investments, both private and public, bearing heavily on joblessness. Turkey
Failure to reign in Idlib jihadists makes trouble for Turkey A year after the Sochi agreement, the situation in Syria’s northwest remains as tense as ever. Syria
Saudi-led coalition kills own fighters in prison airstrike Many of those killed by Saudi-backed forces in an assault on a Houthi-run detention facility in Yemen were prisoners loyal to the Saudi-led alliance. Saudi Arabia
Palestinians see Greenblatt resignation as sign of failure for US Mideast vision While most Palestinians believe the resignation of Jason Greenblatt is a sign of failure, some argue the Trump policy will not change. Palestine
Hezbollah, Israel opt for de-escalation Both the Lebanese Hezbollah movement and Israel seemed to be avoiding confrontation despite the latest round of violence. Israel
Jewish heritage in the West Bank, a tool of Israel’s right Education Minister Rafi Peretz announced that he plans to expand school trips to Jewish heritage sites in the West Bank, generating angry reactions from politicians from the center-left. Palestine
Will Greenblatt’s resignation hurt Netanyahu? Seniors in the Netanyahu government regret the resignation of US special envoy Jason Greenblatt, whom Jerusalem considers an ally within the Trump administration. Palestine
US waives human rights rules to send military aid to Egypt The State Department has authorized the release of $1.3 billion in aid to Egypt despite human rights concerns from US lawmakers, Al-Monitor has learned. Egypt
As Trump mulls Iran diplomacy, Mnuchin plays more visible role As US President Donald Trump mulls Iran diplomacy, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is playing a more visible role. U.S.
Video game exec encourages independent developers in Mideast Hussam Al-Natour, founder of Rababa Gaming, describes the challenges and potential of the Mideast’s video game industry. Jordan
Erdogan hints at nuclear ambitions Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed interest in acquiring nuclear weapons, and while international treaties would make the feat difficult to accomplish, his rhetoric implies shifting global ambitions. Turkey
Netanyahu: The art of Arab vote suppression Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing legislation to allow cameras in polling stations in Arab communities in an attempt to suppress the vote there and improve Likud's chances of emerging with at least one more Knesset seat than the Blue and White in Sept. 17 elections. Israel
Netanyahu’s chaos strategy If Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fails to pass a law for installing cameras in Israeli-Arab polling stations, and if he loses the elections, he plans to cry out the election results were falsified. Israel