Jordan's century-old Hijaz Railway may return as a public park Jordanian architect Hanna Salameh wants to revive a historic railway by turning it into a public park and tram. By Marta Vidal
Gulf donors drawn into controversy over foreign influence at US campuses Six US universities are under investigation for allegedly failing to report $1.3 billion in gifts and contracts from Middle Eastern and other foreign sources. By Aaron Schaffer
Trump condemns Iran protest crackdown, stays mum on Oman, French mediation efforts President Donald Trump, responding to a reporter’s question in London, said the United States does not support the protesters in Iran before he later clarified his answer and castigated the Iranian government. By Laura Rozen
Netanyahu dangles Trump card in rotation talks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still pushing for a rotation agreement and insisting that his relationship with US President Donald Trump offers Israel important security opportunities. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Erdogan to hold up NATO plan unless allies recognize terror threats against Turkey Seeking a terror designation for Kurdish forces in Syria, the Turkish president has reaffirmed his threat to block a NATO defense plan for the Baltic nations and Poland as the London summit commences. By Diego Cupolo
Iran VP admits US pressure hitting economy hard A top Iranian official has admitted that US pressure is dramatically slowing down his country's economy at a time when even "allies" refuse to purchase Iranian crude. By Al-Monitor Staff
Intel: How Russia is changing course in Syria Putin’s Special Envoy to Syria Alexander Lavrentyev and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin traveled to Damascus Dec. 2 to meet with President Bashar al-Assad. By Maxim A. Suchkov
Lavish religious ceremonies in Turkey draw angry criticism Conservatives' extravagant religious rituals have drawn harsh criticism from every quarter. By Sibel Hurtas
Israeli singers form bridge to Arab countries Israeli Middle Eastern music is popular in various parts of the Arab world, where it forms a bridge through a common musical heritage. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Sisi favors security appointees for Egypt's governorships Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to appoint security personnel as new governors is quietly controversial. By A correspondent in Egypt
Syrian front lines heat up, especially in Idlib province Syrian government forces have intensified their attacks in Idlib, the country’s last opposition stronghold. By Khaled al-Khateb
Turkey sees greater partnership with Qatar than is apparent Turkey's commercial gains from its partnership with Qatar have been modest and the media fanfare over fresh bilateral accords is hard to comprehend. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Gantz’ silence on incitement could cost him premiership As long as the center-left does not start integrating Arabs on their party lists for the Knesset, the political balance will not change and Israel would still be trapped by political deadlock. By Afif Abu Much In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, reporting on business and tech
Iraqi protesters' deaths could lead to international court Fed up with Iraqi authorities' lack of response so far, some activists are considering an international case against former Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and others for their alleged roles in killing Iraqi demonstrators. By Mustafa Saadoun
Iranian consulates torched in Najaf and Karbala Protesters attacked the Iranian consulates in the Iraqi holy cities of Najaf and Karbala over the past month, yet officials deny that protesters are anti-Iran. By Shelly Kittleson
Trump unfreezes US military aid to Lebanon without explanation The White House has lifted a hold on $105 million in security assistance to Lebanon. By Jack Detsch