Erdogan’s boycott call against France more grandstanding than economic threat The pressing economic grievances of the Turkish public and deep-rooted business links with France are likely to far outweigh any Turkish enthusiasm to boycott French goods. Turkey
Iraq's western Anbar province getting back on its feet, eyeing autonomy Iraq’s Sunni-majority Anbar province has in recent months completed a number of infrastructure works in the hope of attracting more investment as the US troops' presence winds down, amid debate over the possibility of carving out an autonomous region. Iraq
Are attacks on Syrian opposition signal from Moscow to Ankara? As Turkey conducts simultaneous campaigns in different theaters — including assistance to Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict — Moscow must be tempted to exploit the turbulence to extract concessions from Ankara. Syria
Erdogan’s economic policies show growing disconnect from working class Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan aims for social justice by distributing the loot to his favorite powerful elites at the expense of hardworking blue- and white-collar professionals. Turkey
In Jordan, female engineers lead way in sustainable agriculture A Norwegian NGO has launched a joint training program to train female engineering graduates in the field of sustainable agriculture, with the aim of both encouraging Jordanian women to join the workforce and fight desertification. Jordan
Egypt prepares for solar alignment in Abu Simbel temple amid coronavirus The major solar phenomenon of the sun passing over the statue of Ramses II at the Temple of Abu Simbel in Egypt’s Aswan is overshadowed this year by the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
How Turkey’s withdrawal from Morek post affects opposition factions in northeast Syria Turkish forces withdrew from their observation post in the city of Morek, raising many questions about the fate of Turkish-backed rebels in the surrounding area. Syria
Israel’s education system fails Zoom test With an enormous number of poor Israeli students lacking computers and a state that seems unable to supply them, distance learning has no chance of success. Israel
Egyptian, Iranian leaders criticize French president over comments on freedom of expression French President Emmanuel Macron angered many Muslim leaders when he defended images of the prophet of Islam after a Parisian teacher was beheaded for showing such images. Egypt
Saudi Arabia to pay families of health care workers who died from COVID-19 The government will disperse $133,000 per family. Saudi Arabia
Qatar reveals disturbing details and expresses 'regret' regarding strip-search of women at airport The Gulf state is under fire after women headed to Australia said they were forcibly searched in an attempt to see whether they had recently given birth to a newborn found alive in a trash can at Doha's airport. Qatar
Intel: New bill in Congress would push for Israel to get bunker-busting bombs The bill was announced the same day the International Atomic Energy Agency said Iran is building an underground centrifuge facility at Natanz. Israel
Turkish academic in Canada caught up in Ankara's anti-Kurdish sweep Cihan Erdal, a Ph.D. candidate at Carleton University and permanent resident in Canada, has been held since late September on alleged terror links. Turkey
Iranian plane sanctioned by US lands in Venezuela It is unclear what the aircraft brought. The United States maintains sanctions on both Iran and Venezuela. Iran
The Takeaway: Is Erdogan’s threat to Syrian Kurds linked to US election? Turkish president also calculates risk of escalation in Idlib; a primer on the Idlib ceasefires; plus: four more quick takes on Syria and Iraq. Syria
Erdogan sues Charlie Hebdo over caricature An ongoing Turkey-France spat deepened after French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo published a caricature of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, prompting legal action from Ankara. Turkey