Egypt’s opposition parties want to amend elections law to keep Muslim Brotherhood out The Civil Democratic Movement, the largest coalition of the Egyptian opposition parties, announced Feb. 6 its intention to present the Egyptian regime with a proposal to amend the parliamentary elections law in a bid to exclude any candidates who belong to the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Intel: Why Russia's defense minister met with Libyan strongman Hifter Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu hosted Khalifa Hifter, the commander of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA), in Moscow Feb. 19. Turkey
US sanctions Iranian Guardian Council members, holds off on UN snapback penalties The Trump administration is coming under pressure from anti-Iran deal advocates to find a way to trigger the "snapback" of UN sanctions this year. United States
Saudi Arabia steps up role in Libya Saudi Arabia is reported to be providing greater financing to forces associated with Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter in order to counter Turkey's intervention on the side of Libya's Government of National Accord. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu honeymoons with Hamas, expects quiet in return Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has quietly made a number of significant concessions to Hamas to buy some quiet until the March 2 elections in Israel. Palestine
Unfazed by lira's decline, Turkey persists with lowering interest rates The lira slumped to its lowest level since May a day after the central bank made its sixth consecutive interest rate cut to boost the economy and geopolitical worries also weigh on the currency. Turkey
Iran’s parliamentary elections a vote on Rouhani's economy Iranians head to the polls Feb. 21, with Reformists largely sidelined, to elect their 11th parliament since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Iran
Protests bring to life a new generation in Iraq Iraqis under the age of 18 have been participating in protests at higher rates than before. Iraq
Is Russia cozying up to Syria's Kurds amid rift with Turkey? The United States has reportedly cautioned the Kurds not to fight Turkey in any potential escalation in Syria, but Russia appears to have moved closer to the Kurds, as suggested by Kurdish collaboration with the Syrian army in areas along Idlib’s boundaries with Afrin. Syria
Hamas, Fatah trade blame for holdup on Gaza meeting Fatah and Hamas are accusing each other of delaying the PLO delegation visit to Gaza aimed at countering the US Mideast peace plan. Palestine
Egypt bans 'music of the slums' Egypt's powerful Musicians Syndicate bans mahraganat music and asks streaming giants to take down the songs with "unethical lyrics." Egypt
Algeria's protest movement marks first anniversary Algeria's Hirak movement is still mobilizing Algerians a year since its first peaceful protest. Algeria
New solar park to ease Iraqi governorate's power shortage A solar energy park to be funded by the European Union is expected to help lessen Dohuk's daily power cuts in two years. Iraq
Another UN step underscoring illegality of Israeli settlements The Palestinians are banking on the newly released UN list of businesses operating in the Israeli settlements to bring those businesses before the judiciary and pressure them to end activities in the settlements. Palestine
Hamas failing to rally West Bank against US peace plan Security coordination between Israel and the Palestinian Authority is the main obstacle to Hamas’ efforts to mobilize armed resistance in the West Bank after the unveiling of the US peace plan. Palestine
Meet the artist haunted by violent moments in Turkey, Lebanon Turkey's veteran artist Hale Tenger tackles coups, destruction and political assassinations in the Middle East, using marriage of poetry and images. Lebanon
