Jordan feels Soleimani side effects The assassination of Iran’s top commander, Qasem Soleimani, has raised concerns in Jordan, with analysts fearing retaliation against US military assets in the kingdom. Iraq
Young Middle Easterners turning on to podcasts Young people in the Middle East are turning to podcasts to generate wide-ranging and in-depth conversations on politics, events and other topics of personal interest. Palestine
Hackers zap official Iraqi websites with cyberattacks Electronic hacking operations against Iraqi institutional websites have sabotaged the prime minister’s page and those of various governmental, ministerial and security agencies. Iraq
Fresh banknotes spark new economic war in Yemen The UN-recognized Yemeni government has pumped new banknotes into the country, but the Houthis are banning their circulation in areas under their control, burdening Yemenis and exacerbating problems for the already struggling economy. Yemen
The Takeaway: January 8, 2020 Highlights: US-Iran diplomacy could use an assist; Russian president continues campaign to build Russian role in region amid US-Iran crisis; Iraqi Kurdish leaders in US-Iran crossfire; and more! Originals
Putin, Erdogan demand cease-fire in Libya Turkey and Russia have ordered a cease-fire be reached in Libya in a sign that neither wants a confrontation in the oil-rich North African state where they support opposing sides. Turkey
Turkish-Russia partnership in Libya likely to be to Moscow’s advantage Analysts say any Turkish-Russian “partnership” in Libya could end up working more to Moscow’s advantage than Ankara’s, as was the case in Syria. Syria
Intel: Why Iraqi Kurdistan may be wary of hosting US troops Torn between Iran and the United States, former Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani appeared to distance himself on Tuesday from Republican proposals to station US troops in Kurdish territory should Baghdad move forward with threats to expel the Americans in the aftermath of Washington’s assassination of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. Iraq
Trump floats Iran as anti-terror partner after strikes In an address at the White House this morning, President Donald Trump alternated between using carrot and stick with Tehran. United States
As Khamenei boasts of 'slap' at US, Zarif says revenge 'concluded' Tehran-Washington tensions are reaching all-time highs after Iran hit US military bases in neighboring Iraq with ballistic missiles. Iraq
Did Iran missiles carry message for Kurds? Iran's ballistic missile attack on US military targets in Iraq may have been a warning to the Kurds not to stand with the United States. Iraq
Has the time come for US-Iran negotiations? Iran's attack on a US military base in Iraq resulted in no casualties, possibly opening space for US-Iran negotiations. Iraq
Why Israel must end chief rabbi’s monopoly on Judaism The State of Israel must put a stop to the monopoly held by the Chief Rabbi on deciding who is Jewish, who can marry who and who can immigrate to the country. Israel
Ankara divides Syrian rebels on fighting in Libya Turkey’s plan to recruit mercenaries from Syria for the Libyan battlefield is gaining traction but appears to creating rifts among the Syrian opposition as fighters are lured to Libya by Turkish promises of money and more. Syria
Israel’s defense minister not focused on defense Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has made several controversial decisions that evidently serve his political agenda but not Israel’s security. Israel
Netanyahu suddenly facing effective opposition The possibility of lifting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's immunity after the Knesset was dissolved is exactly the sort of move that an effective opposition is expected to promote. Israel
