Netanyahu’s defense minister gets him into trouble Another haphazard decision by Defense Minister Naftali Bennett reshuffled the deck for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and led to an escalation of tensions in the south. Palestine
Ultra-Orthodox shifting stance on children learning math, English Ultra-Orthodox Knesset member Moshe Gafni surprised everyone recently by announcing that ultra-Orthodox schools will be established where mathematics and English will be taught. Israel
Blue and White stumbles as Israeli race nears finish In an interview with Al-Monitor a week before the election, Blue and White Chairman Benny Gantz admits he is disturbed by shifting trends in the polls and rejects any chance of partnering with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Tunisia's long road to a new government There are concerns that political bickering between Tunisia’s main parties will obstruct parliament’s vote of confidence on the government of Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh. Tunisia
Tunisian art becomes matter of taste Two Tunisian chefs are marrying art with gastronomy in a fresh look at the country's culinary and artistic heritage. Tunisia
Can Ankara’s sudden change of heart on NATO save the day in Idlib? Ankara’s abrupt U-turn to reembrace NATO appears driven by conjunctural necessity to balance Russia in Idlib and Libya rather than a new realization of structural dependency between Turkey and NATO. Syria
Idlib exposes Erdogan's untenable policies Turkey’s predicament in Idlib has laid bare its weaknesses and the longstanding inconsistencies in its foreign and security policy as never before, boding adverse repercussions for the government, both at home and abroad. Syria
How Hamas’ observation units operate on Gaza border Israel has recently revealed details about Hamas’ observation posts erected along the Gaza border to monitor Israeli movements. Palestine
PA seeks Israeli left's support to challenge US peace plan Despite the public's ire, the Palestinian Authority has been meeting with members of the Israeli media and the sympathetic left to boost Israeli opposition to the US peace plan ahead of the March 2 Knesset elections. Palestine
Can Istanbul's mayor forge tourism as a tool for democracy? Tourism is providing a test case of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s advocacy of “local participatory democracy," prompting a struggle with the government in Ankara over prominent landmarks in his city. Turkey
Al-Azhar’s imam faces hostile media campaign Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb is facing a campaign of persecution and media blockade in an attempt by the state to push him to renege on his positions. Egypt
Art, culture victims of Lebanon's economic crisis Lebanon’s cultural organizations, which have long been regional models, struggle to keep their heads above water as economic and political crises deepen. Lebanon
Can YouTubers give kiss of life to Egyptian cinema? The casting of a popular YouTube prankster in the title role of the Egyptian remake of "Joker" has started a debate on the future of the Egyptian cinema sector. Egypt
What is wrong with Israel’s policy toward Gaza? Lacking any real policy on the Gaza Strip, Israel keeps imposing and then easing restrictions on the suffering of Gaza residents. Palestine
Netanyahu’s mudslinging strategy working, increases his popularity Strangely, the Fifth Dimension company scandal pops out just a week ahead of the elections, and to the great satisfaction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates. Israel
Why is the steel industry in Egypt declining? Egypt's steel industry has generally been lowering prices as a result of an oversupply in inventories and lower raw material prices just as a new steel factory comes online. Egypt
