PA turns to Russia in a bid to break from US sponsorship As part of its efforts to economically disengage from Israel, the Palestinian Authority seeks to establish bilateral relations with Russia in the energy field. Palestine
Will political crises lead to a Hamas-Israel prisoner swap? A desire by Hamas to improve it's standing among Palestinians and the current political predicament of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might make a prisoner swap more inevitable in the near term. Palestine
Africa encourages its youth to become entrepreneurs The UN Development Program, the African Development Bank and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa organized the African Economic Conference, shedding light on jobs and entrepreneurship for a better future in the continent. Egypt
What is the fate of Baghdad-Erbil’s oil-for-budget agreement amid ongoing protests? Iraqi political sides vow to block a recent oil-for-budget agreement by Iraq’s caretaker government with the Kurdistan region. Iraq
Iraqis gratefully welcome UN envoy's speech, demand more With few expectations, Iraqis expressed appreciation to the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert for her briefing on the protests. Iraq
Algeria to vote in presidential poll amid crackdown on protesters As Algeria’s presidential elections approach, protesters are taking to the streets to voice opposition to holding the vote before the protest movement’s activists are released from detention. Algeria
Will Israel's right-wing camp lose its leader soon? The right-wing camp, including the ultra-Orthodox, national-religious and settlers, have considered Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as its leader for so long that it is now finding itself in a crisis. Israel
Will Israel-Hamas arrangement divorce Gaza from West Bank? According to recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi, Israel and Hamas are close to reaching a long-term agreement, including over control of Gaza. Palestine
Decision of third elections doesn’t reflect instability in Israel The insistence of the Blue and White party not to form a government with an indicted prime minister and the ensuing decision to hold third elections, actually testify to the stability of Israel's governing institutions. Israel
Is Iran-Taliban cold peace within reach? To secure its part in Afghanistan's political future, Iran is actively engaging the Taliban, but the road will be bumpy, given the multiple ideological and geopolitical challenges. United States
Underlying tensions still restrict full GCC reconciliation While Qatar has been reinvited to the GCC party, the UAE appears to be spoiling for the role of party pooper. Saudi Arabia
Oil trail reveals Turkey funding Syrian Kurdish rivals Through oil, Turkey is helping to indirectly subsidize the very same Syrian Kurdish administration that it's seeking to crush. Syria
Intel: Pentagon looks to continue Saudi air force training despite shooting The Pentagon awarded a $15 million contract to a Virginia-based company to provide English-language training to Saudi Arabia’s air force at an air base in Riyadh, just hours after a Saudi national killed three people at a naval installation in Florida on Thursday. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s first 'indigenous and national' credit rating agency Turkey bought 85.05% of Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) Avrasya. How did a seemingly Japanese company became a national asset? Turkey
Iran braces for harsh times under new budget Iranian President Hassan Rouhani presented a draft budget to parliament. Originals
Intel: How Florida base shooting could threaten US-Saudi training programs President Donald Trump’s outraged allies in Congress are calling on the United States to reevaluate its training programs for Riyadh after a Saudi national killed three and wounded two others in a shooting at a Florida naval base on Friday. Saudi Arabia
