Why Palestinians failed at the Security Council The Palestinians' push for a near-unanimous UN Security Council resolution opposing the Trump plan ran into a number of unexpected roadblocks. Palestine
Democrats call on Trump to sanction Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter Democrats are wary that the Donald Trump administration may be too friendly with Libya’s Khalifa Hifter, so they’re calling for sanctions. Turkey
Peace with the region is not a peace plan The Trump peace plan is flawed because it has more to do with building a coalition against Iran rather than with promoting peace between Israelis and the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia
New Jersey woman takes on traffickers in Iraq's Kurdistan region The Kurdistan Regional Government, with the help of a former US State Department official, is fighting human trafficking. Iraq
Palestine's 'Red Prince' star of new TV drama A new TV series in Palestine offers insight into the controversial figure of Abu Hassan Salameh, Yasser Arafat's right-hand man and a possible back channel with the Americans. Palestine
The Takeaway: February 12, 2020 Highlights: The enemy of my enemy: Kurds weigh further alignment with Assad against Turkey; Israel may have had enough restraint toward Hamas; Will Ethiopia sign on the US-brokered deal on Nile dam?; and more! Originals
Erdogan vies for leverage in Syria's Idlib as Turkish troops reinforce positions Following recent clashes between Syrian and Turkish troops, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doubled down on threats to retaliate against ongoing regime offensive in Idlib. Syria
Fresh currency fears loom over Turkey Despite a series of unconventional measures to keep hard currency prices in check, Turkey appears headed for fresh currency turmoil. Turkey
Iran government denies rumors of Rouhani resignation Aides to the Iranian president have categorically denied fresh reports that he is stepping down. Iran
Egypt builds a wall on border with Gaza As part of the measures Egyptian authorities have taken to boost border security, including the construction of a border wall, an Egyptian security delegation conducted a field inspection along the Egypt-Gaza border. Palestine
Palestinians tell Trump, Israel: We are not for sale The Trump administration boasts of a generous economic framework offered to the Palestinians, while in truth it hopes the private sector will come up with the funds. Palestine
Israel’s Gantz dismisses the Joint List, shooting self in foot, again Blue and White head Benny Gantz has fallen into a trap set by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by publicly rejecting the Arab Joint List. Palestine
Who are Sadr's Blue Hats in Iraq and what side are they on? Prominent Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has kept his "Blue Hats" busy, calling on followers to change direction, often with his political whims. Iraq
Gantz bloc flounders as Netanyahu’s stabilizes Blue and White head Benny Gantz' rejection of forming a government with the Joint List has left the Israeli election campaign even more deadlocked than the two previous ones. Israel
Lebanon to ask IMF for technical help with economic crisis Amid a deepening financial and monetary crisis plaguing Lebanon, a government source announced that the country is to officially request the IMF’s help. Lebanon
Palestinian architect turns conservation of heritage into resistance Nadia Habash, named by Middle East Architect magazine as one of 50 influential architects in the region, says preserving heritage is a national statement. Palestine
