Is Turkey planning to curb radicals in Idlib under strategy shift? In a scenario that invokes its Afrin operation in 2018, Ankara speaks of reining in radical groups and asserting field control in Idlib, hoping that Moscow will give it a nod to avoid war. Syria
With election rivals barred, Iran’s hard-liners resort to infighting Less than a week to Iran’s parliamentary elections, the country’s hard-liners have yet to reach consensus before finalizing a list of endorsed candidates. Iran
Turkish MPs make Washington charm offensive as Ankara-Moscow ties strain A Turkish delegation arrives in Washington to find a way forward for US-Turkish relations. Turkey
Egypt shows diplomatic finesse forging Gaza cease-fire Hamas' agreement to refrain from attacks, for now, puts Gaza on the back burner for Israeli elections. Palestine
Iraq celebrates Valentine's Day with red balloons, slogans Baghdad turned red on Valentine's Day with celebrations of love, defying Muqtada al-Sadr’s call to separate men and women in the rallies. Iraq
Iraqi prime minister-designate faces pressure on Cabinet choices Political pressure on the prime minister-designate, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, could bring him down before he even forms a government. Iraq
Iraqi protests blush pink as feminists flood streets As hardline clerics rail against women attending the nationwide protests in Iraq, feminists held rallies in Baghdad, Nasiriyah and other cities in support of women's participation as well as the ongoing protest movement. Iraq
Is Abbas the key to Israeli annexation of West Bank lands? For Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas remaining in power could ease its annexation of West Bank territories. Palestine
12 years later, Olmert plan discussions could resume Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in New York to discuss reviving the Olmert plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Opposition helpless to stop regime advances in Idlib The Syrian regime's progress in Idlib and control of the key city of Saraqeb on the Aleppo-Damascus highway have marked a turning point in its fight against the Turkish-backed opposition. Syria
Jordanians fuming over electricity bills, call for boycott Jordanians are angered at the sharp hike in electricity rates, which the government claims is due to the high consumption in subzero temperatures. Jordan
Syrian shelling in Idlib knocks out dozens of medical facilities The opposition in Idlib province accuses Syrian and Russian warplanes of deliberately shelling hospital and medical facilities in the province and its surroundings, pushing thousands to flee. Syria
Why is Egypt seeking African military force? President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has proposed during the African Union Summit the formation of a joint African military force to confront terrorism, as part of Cairo’s efforts to boost its presence on the African continent. Egypt
Lebanon’s new government has its work cut out for it The newly formed Lebanese government is in for real challenges, mainly the crisis of the collapsing Lebanese pound and debt that has reached a record level. Lebanon
Israeli swimmer's discovery of Egyptian artifact met with suspicion in Cairo An Israeli swimmer discovered a 3,400-year-old stone engraved with hieroglyphs last year, but some Egyptian experts have a hard time believing the story. Egypt
