Trump, Netanyahu use synagogue shooting to cement alliance President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s government are using this week’s massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue to cement support for each other. Israel
Annual US-Gulf gathering treats Khashoggi death as mere speed bump in relations The mood at this year’s National Council on US-Arab Relations conference was defensive but upbeat. Saudi Arabia
Pompeo, Mattis call for Yemen cease-fire, back UN talks The US secretaries of state and defense threw their support behind the United Nations Yemen envoy’s calls for a cessation of hostilities and for Yemen peace talks to be held in Sweden in November. Yemen
Russia key if quiet player in southern Yemen While keeping a low profile on the conflict in Yemen, Russia has been making significant progress establishing connections in the south of the country, where it has historically had a military and political presence. Yemen
Moscow, Syrian High Negotiations Committee go down to-do list on Syria Following the Syrian High Negotiations Committee's visit to Russia, Syrian opposition groups are faced with a choice: wait until Washington upholds its position on the country's settlement or hop on the bandwagon with Moscow. Syria
Iran denies assassination plot, warns Denmark against 'hasty reactions' An alleged assassination attempt has opened a diplomatic rift between Denmark and Iran, with the European country recalling its ambassador and turning to the EU for support. Iran
US fails to shield humanitarian trade with Iran as sanctions loom European governments are urging the Trump administration to identify a legal means for their companies to continue to provide food and medicine to Iranians after the Nov. 5 re-imposition of secondary sanctions begins. United States
Smuggling surges as US sanctions hit Iranian rial The Rouhani administration may not be responsible for the US sanctions hitting the Iranian economy, but it is responsible for the damage caused by smuggling and other harmful activities resulting from misguided foreign exchange policies. Iran
Lawyers demand freedom for Turkey's Osman Kavala after year in prison Turkey’s best-known public intellectual Osman Kavala has been held in pre-trial detention without even an indictment in what his lawyers believe constitutes “torture” and observers say is an attempt to stifle dissent. Turkey
Turkey’s crisis-hit construction sector threatens big fallout Once a driving force of economic growth, Turkey’s construction sector is among the first victims of the country’s economic turmoil, threatening a contagion effect on an array of other sectors. Turkey
Northern Syria heats up as next likely US-Turkey flashpoint Despite speculation that Turkey and the United States might repair their tense relations now that one key issue is settled, an Erdogan adviser called Turkey's shelling east of the Euphrates River “a friendly message to the US.” Syria
Netanyahu needs Hamas to rule Gaza, not Abbas In order to preserve himself politically, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs an arrangement with Hamas. Palestine
Cairo bolsters bond with Moscow as US grows distant Egypt, feeling a chill in the air in Washington, is warming up to Russia. Palestine
Why this film has Iranian hard-liners breaking out in cold sweat More than 100 cinema halls across Iran, which belong to hard-line Hozeh Honari, have boycotted "Cold Sweat,” an award-winning film that tells the story of an Iranian futsal player who is banned from taking part in an international competition by her husband. Iran
Hamas visits Gaza schools to promote hijab Hamas' Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs has embarked on an ambitious project that sends female lecturers to all the universities and girls' schools across the Gaza Strip and persuade girls and young women to wear the hijab. Palestine
