Culture war takes center stage at Israeli theater festival Israeli artists widely condemn the decision by the Acre Festival of Alternative Theater to exclude Einat Weitzman's play about Palestinian prisoners, saying the move is part of a dangerous trend of self-censorship in Israel. Israel
Egypt's parliament working with Sisi to finalize islands transfer Despite a court ruling against the transfer of the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian government is working to secure parliamentary approval of the deal. Saudi Arabia
Mixed messages since US-Saudi-Islamic summit prove costly Is the United States missing an opportunity with Iran in the war against the Islamic State? Turkey, Hamas deal with fallout from Qatar dispute; Al-Monitor had the jump on “secret” US-Russia talks on Syria. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese designers keep waste from going to waste Eco-friendly Lebanese designers are creating chic clutches and other products from plastic bags, bottles and other discarded materials. Countries
How Moscow-Riyadh rapport fits into the Mideast scene With all that’s going on in the Gulf right now, some players are re-examining their alliances and shoring up support. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi poets reclaim streets The House of Poetry, established by several Iraqi poets in 2009, brings modern poetry to the people through posters and graffiti. Iraq
Iraq, Qatar grow closer in wake of Gulf crisis Following the tension between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the relationship between Iraq and Qatar has become strong and many Iraqi politicians support Qatar against Saudi Arabia. Legacy: Gulf
Turkish military will protect Qatari regime if necessary Ankara revealed a hard stance in the Qatar crisis by fast-tracking legislation that sends Turkish troops there to control protests and confront internal security threats. Saudi Arabia
Iran wakes up to Salafi recruitment in Kurdish regions Will the terrorist attacks in Tehran be a wake-up call about the rise of Salafism in Iranian Kurdistan? And will they be the beginning of a sectarian war at home? Iran
PMU wants to take over Baghdad’s security The Popular Mobilization Units and their political blocs demand that the security of the capital be handed to the PMU and that the Baghdad Operations Command be disbanded for its failure to maintain security. Iraq
Hamas could lose Qatar's support amid GCC strife Palestinians are concerned that as a result of the Qatar crisis, the Gulf nation might be forced to reduce its financial commitments to Palestine, especially in the Gaza Strip. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's Sisi vows to recover state land from squatters President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the army and police to put an end to illegal encroachment of state lands across the country. Egypt
Ghouta residents suffer under siege during Ramadan As the regime continues to impose its siege on eastern Ghouta, thousands of trapped residents are making do with the limited supply of food available and depending on NGOs to get them through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Syria
Syrian regime clears last IS bastion in Aleppo province The Syrian regime is closing in on the Islamic State in Aleppo, while securing a foothold in Raqqa’s outskirts, where US-backed rebels launched their offensive to liberate the city. Syria
Egypt's new NGO law will further shackle civil society Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi promulgated a new law May 29 that regulates the work of NGOs, but local and international human rights activists and groups say the law is repressive and imposes unprecedented draconian restrictions. Egypt
Netanyahu and Abbas on the same page for once Palestinians and Israelis are mulling over a partial settlement construction freeze, a move that would benefit the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli government. Palestine
