Under public attack, Cairo film festival cancels award to French director Lelouch The Cairo International Film Festival's decision to honor Claude Lelouch, the French-Jewish film director who called Israel his homeland, caused a stir among filmmakers and intellectuals, eventually leading the festival to backpedal. Egypt
Iraqi Kurdistan opposition parties reject election results Four main opposition groups allege fraud in Iraqi Kurdistan’s parliamentary elections and threaten to boycott the next legislative session. Iraq
Hunt for Khashoggi's body continues in Istanbul As a search continued for a dissident Saudi journalist's body in Istanbul, Turkey's president said more will be revealed Tuesday; a Saudi official tells Reuters the body was rolled up in a carpet and given to a collaborator for disposal. Saudi Arabia
Saad Hariri: loose witness in MBS prosecution The Lebanese prime minister now has one on the crown prince; Mohammed bin Salman goes after his inner circle; Netanyahu needs Putin for possible deal on the Golan. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi army, non-local PMUs at cross-purposes in western Anbar Non-local Popular Mobilization Units seem to be quietly gaining influence on Iraq’s border with Syria against a backdrop of attacks on local facilities now under the control of the Iraqi army. Iraq
Saudi Arabia's shifting narrative on Khashoggi reveals fragility The Khashoggi affair is the latest example of how Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has become a liability for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi killed in ‘brawl' In a statement Friday night, Saudi Arabia said Jamal Khashoggi died in an Oct. 2 fistfight at the country’s Istanbul consulate, after days of denying knowledge of the dissident journalist’s whereabouts. Saudi Arabia
Putin, Sisi take Russia-Egypt relations to 'strategic level' Moscow and Cairo signed a strategic cooperation agreement that is supposed to open new venues for bilateral relations in the military, political and cultural domains. Egypt
Tehran set for yet another mayor amid Reformist infighting Tehran is set to get yet another mayor amid ongoing infighting among the Reformists. The question is whether the next internal mayoral vote will put an end to the bickering. Iran
Turkey’s Protestants see silver lining in Brunson ordeal A representative of Turkey’s Protestant Christians talks to Al-Monitor about how the politically charged trial of their co-religionist, American pastor Andrew Brunson, affected the tiny community. Turkey
How Palestinian workers in Israel stand to benefit from new payment regulations Come January, many Palestinians working in Israel will see big changes in how and how often they are paid. Palestine
Decoding the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Investigators are making headway in the death of a journalist with Saudi, Turkish and US ties. Saudi Arabia
Israeli think tank's diplomatic plan signals left while turning right The diplomatic framework presented by Israel's top security studies institute plays into the hands of those working to keep the status quo rather than enter real negotiations with the Palestinians. Palestine
Saudi sports minister leaves Egypt’s sports scene The decision of the head of Saudi General Sports Authority Turki al-Sheikh to withdraw from Egyptian sports and sell his club Pyramids Football Club after being insulted by Al-Ahli fans at one of their games sparked controversy in Egypt. Saudi Arabia
Why Abbas wants to dissolve legislative council Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the dissolution of the Palestinian Legislative Council, a move that raised legal controversy. Palestine
