Intel: Pentagon renews calls for US allies to join Syria fight Defense Secretary Mark Esper told reporters traveling in Europe on Monday that the United States needs to continue to grow the 81-nation counter-Islamic State coalition in Syria to ensure the defeat of the militant group. Syria
Mideast rivalries plague fledgling Muslim summit in Malaysia Tensions between Riyadh and Tehran are dogging a summit set to debut this week in Kuala Lumpur. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani heads to Japan as Abe seeks US-Iran deal Iran's president has embarked on a trip that will take him to Japan, a host that has been scrambling to mediate some Tehran-Washington rapprochement at a critical time for the Iranian economy. United States
Erdogan renews call for ‘safe zone’ support as Syrians return Turkey says that Syrian refugees are moving to an area under its control in northeast Syria, two months after capturing the strip of territory from Syrian Kurdish fighters. Syria
Turkey’s energy miscalculations have hefty cost More than a third of Turkey’s installed power capacity remains idle after an ill-calculated rush for energy that has had a hefty financial and environmental cost. Turkey
Intel: Trump administration distances itself from Congress’ recognition of Armenian genocide The State Department is distancing itself from Congress’ vote to recognize the Ottoman Empire’s massacre of more than a million, mostly Christian Armenians as a genocide. Turkey
IDF stands ground against reducing world's longest military service Legislation passed in 2015 reduced Israel's military service to two and a half years for men, but like several previous efforts, the military is trying to block it. Israel
Blue and White's nightmare scenario: Saar defeating Netanyahu The Blue and White party needs Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a rival, or else it would loose its energy. Israel
Lebanon's protesters occupy central Beirut road in display of unity Since anti-government demonstrations broke out in Lebanon two months ago, protesters have resorted to blocking the main roads and highways across the country, including the Ring Bridge, which connects East and West Beirut and which divided the capital between Muslims and Christians during the civil war. Lebanon
Targeting of US bases in Iraq a harsh Iranian message to Washington The rise of attacks against US military bases in Iraq in conjunction with the ongoing protests may be a warning message from Iran to Washington. Iraq
Syrians struggle to survive amid pound crisis The Syrian pound has significantly declined against the dollar, which has affected the purchasing power of citizens and led to many stores shutting their doors. Syria
Egypt reinforces security ahead of Christmas season The Egyptian army and police are out in force across the country to secure churches and mosques that have been targeted with violence in the past. Originals
Algeria: New president, old regime Protesters in Algeria rejected the presidential election and its victor, Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Algeria
Rumors, denials fly about long-term Israel-Gaza truce Just the suggestion that a long-term truce could be in the works between Israel and the Gaza Strip factions has Palestinians fired up. Palestine
Should Jewish refugees from Arab countries be compensated? An Israeli-government project estimates that Jews who fled Arab countries and immigrated to Israel left behind $150 billion in property, and the prime minister has been authorized by law to seek compensation for it in any peace deal. Iraq
Ahead of 2020 elections, ultra-Orthodox careful on conflicts The ultra-Orthodox leadership has so far kept silent over the fleet of minivans that has been plying the streets of the greater Tel Aviv metro area, providing public transportation on the Jewish Sabbath. Israel
