Iran opposition lobbied Giuliani, CEO of United Against Nuclear Iran New lobbying disclosures raise new questions about the ties between the hawkish organization United Against Nuclear Iran to the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq. United States
Erdogan treads carefully on Soleimani killing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was cautious in his first comments on the US killing of Iran’s Qasem Soleimani, criticizing the move but being careful not to align Ankara with Tehran. Turkey
Iran's fractious hard-liners hold edge as parliamentary election approaches Despite their divisions, Iran's conservatives and hard-liners are still likely to dominate the legislative elections next month, as many progressives are rejecting the vote entirely. Iran
Pentagon pushed back internally on strike against Iranian military leader In the days preceding President Donald Trump's order for the drone strike that took out Qasem Soleimani, Pentagon officials were split over whether to carry out the strike. Iraq
Istanbul's Arter ‘pushing boundaries' of Turkey's art scene Turkey’s newest contemporary art museum promises an ambitious program for 2020 and pledges to remain a haven for artistic expression. Turkey
Large turnout in Iran for Soleimani funeral Iran witnessed some of its largest crowds for the funeral of Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US strike Jan. 3. Iraq
Are Iraq's PMU militias planning to put an end to protests? Following the funeral of the top Iranian commander of the Quds Force, Iraqi militias are preparing to clamp down on protesters. Iraq
Economics or politics: What's driving Turkey’s electric car project? The limited scope of Turkey’s electric car project points to political motives by a government under strain rather than economic goals to help transition the automotive industry. Turkey
2020 dawns in Egypt with viral video of mob harassing women Footage of a mob harassing two women during a New Year's Eve celebration went viral in Egypt. Egypt
Iraqi parliament takes nonbinding decision to end US troop presence Following the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad, Iraq’s parliament voted for a resolution demanding the prime minister expel all foreign troops from the country. Iraq
Is Israel dangling economic carrot to lead Hamas to a truce? Israel has allowed Gaza to import and export previously banned goods for the first time in 13 years, and some have interpreted the move as part of an effort to entice Hamas into a truce. Palestine
Outgoing Iraqi government's policies cause billions of dollars in economic losses Abdul Mahdi's resigned government causes billions of dollars in losses to the economy. Iraq
US expresses hope troops will stay in Iraq after parliament vote Iraq's parliament votes for a nonbinding resolution to expel US troops as the United States pauses operations against the Islamic State. Iraq
Can Karnak sphinxes survive on Tahrir Square? Egyptian and international experts and activists worry that moving four ram-headed sphinxes from Luxor to Tahrir Square will destroy the monuments. Egypt
Iraqi armed factions vow revenge for Shiite commanders’ killings Iraqi politicians and leaders of Shiite armed groups now incorporated into government forces have vowed to get revenge for the US drone attack that killed IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani and Kataib Hezbollah militia chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. Iraq
White House defiant as Iraq threatens to expel US troops over Soleimani strike Iraq’s potential vote to expel US forces for assassinating Maj, Gen. Qasem Soleimani could spell trouble for the campaign against the Islamic State. Iraq
