Opposition to US plans for east Syria unites fragile Astana trio No daylight among Iran, Turkey and Russia in opposing US policies in Syria; Can Iraq mediate between the United States and Iran? Iraq
Intel: Why Ankara is refraining from retaliation against Riyadh over missing dissident Turkey seems to be reluctant to wage a full-out-war against Saudi Arabia on the fate of missing Saudi journalist, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan adopts low-key approach. Saudi Arabia
What happened to Jamal Khashoggi? The disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi from the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul highlights, once again, the House of Saud's division on the war in Yemen and the crown prince's decision-making. Saudi Arabia
How will Basra be affected by the closure of US consulate? Officials and experts in the city of Basra warn of the massive negative effects on the city following the US State Department's decision to close its consulate there. Iraq
Wildfires ravage marshlands on Iran-Iraq border The destruction of important marshlands and other natural reserves in wildfires in Iran may be caused by humans as well as nature. Iran
Europe’s big eggs in Turkey’s economic basket Economic concerns lie at the heart of Turkey’s moves to repair ties with European countries, which, in turn, are open to Ankara’s overtures due to the significant stakes they have in the ailing Turkish economy. Turkey
Is the Idlib buffer plan really implemented? The Turkish-Russian deal for a demilitarized zone in Idlib is not going on as planned, with radical groups keeping their positions and lingering uncertainty on the scale of the pullout of heavy weaponry. Syria
How dating app helps gay community speak out on discrimation Grindr, the primarily gay and bisexual dating application, has changed the gay, bisexual and queer community in the Middle East and North Africa and is now being used as a resource. Lebanon
Is historic Palestinian strike a milestone for the one-state solution? Palestinians living in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip held a joint strike to protest the Israeli Nationality Law Palestine
Can Syrian refugees in Turkey benefit from amendment to citizenship law? The Turkish decision to ease some requirements to apply for Turkish citizenship will not help a large number of Syrian refugees in Turkey as they cannot meet the conditions required. Syria
Donors consider new mechanism for assisting Gaza Donor countries to Gaza are looking for ways to transfer aid to Gaza Strip residents without the money falling into the pockets of Hamas. Palestine
Palestinians sticking with Jerusalem court case against US Palestine has filed a lawsuit against the United States at the International Court of Justice over its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and move the US Embassy there, steps it views as violating international law. Palestine
Why Netanyahu wants to lower Knesset entry threshold After increasing the Knesset entry threshold before the 2015 election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now wants to help potential coalition partners by lowering it. Israel
Northern Syria takes step toward new judicial system The Turkish-built Palace of Justice and an even larger prison were inaugurated in al-Rai last month with the expectation of a new judicial system to begin functioning in mid-October in place of unsanctioned courts controlled by the Free Syrian Army. Syria
Fierce battle amid leaders of the Israeli right Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman are battling each other, as neither of them dares to confront the unbeatable Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
