UAE offers to mediate Nile dam dispute in name of Red Sea security Can the United Arab Emirates succeed where others have failed in bringing Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt to terms over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam? Gulf
Talk of Kurdish weddings code for terror plots, Turkish prosecutors say The Turkish justice system is overwhelmed with thousands in prison for such dubious crimes as texting about weddings. Turkey
Turkey’s religious agency grows even richer, more powerful Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate has acquired unprecedented influence and budget means under Erdogan, spending more than the Foreign and other ministries. Turkey
Iran denies US Navy’s account of run-in in Persian Gulf Iran has accused the US Navy of “false narratives” and “unprofessional behavior” in the latest run-in with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
Political, military wings of Islamist movement clash in Idlib Ahrar al-Sham, which was once one of the largest factions of the Syrian armed opposition in Idlib, has formed a new leadership council that is being perceived as a coup against the movement’s political leaders, who fear the group's integration into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Syria
Erdogan’s midnight decrees give Turkey nightmares The overnight decrees increasingly governing Turkey have become a source of livid satire and agony for millions of Turks. Turkey
On Israel with Ben Caspit Jerusalem and West Bank unrest generated by Netanyahu’s policies, says Eran Etzion Ben Caspit
Israel's security crisis has new political team sweating Israel's evolving security crisis has put a damper on the formation of a new government. Israel
Assault on female reporter for not wearing hijab sparks backlash in Gaza A female reporter was recently insulted and physically assaulted for not wearing the Islamic headscarf, which renewed the debate about women’s rights in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Palestine
How Syrian refugees contributed to Turkish economy Syrians have established nearly 14,000 companies in Turkey. Syria
Will escalation with Hamas benefit Netanyahu? Escalation with Hamas arrives exactly at the moment when the anti-Netanyahu bloc is trying to cobble up a "government for change." Israel
New generation of Jerusalem Palestinians emerges The events during the month of Ramadan appear to have given birth to more courageous Palestinian youth activists in Jerusalem, who have maintained smiles in the face of arrest. Palestine
Palestinian candidate's house attacked over EU appeal The postponement of the Palestinian elections continues to inspire threats and violence, including against the candidates themselves. Palestine
Young Syrians flee regime areas for Turkey Dozens of young men from areas controlled by the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) cross daily smuggling routes to the areas under the Syrian opposition to reach Turkey and flee to Europe to escape conscription in the Syrian army. Syria
Egypt, Turkey seek to reset fractured relations Egypt and Turkey met for two-day talks to discuss ways to normalize the long-stranded relations; although Egypt seems in no hurry to mend ties, it welcomes the step as it discusses the various files that are causing the rift. Egypt
US Navy fires 30 warning shots to ward off Iran’s speed boats IRGC fast boats harassed US Navy ships once again amid nuclear talks in Vienna. Iran