Afrin residents fear continued kidnappings Rogue members of the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces are thought to be behind kidnappings of Afrin residents in exchange for money. Syria
Netanyahu ignores Gaza violence, throws IDF chief to wolves The Israeli prime minister's predictable scapegoating of the IDF head is much easier than formulating a coherent policy on Gaza — and more politically profitable, too. Palestine
Israeli activists call out military academy for messianic teachings Human rights activist and attorney Yair Nehorai is petitioning the Supreme Court to halt the state funding of the Bnei David Military Preparatory Academy, which he claims advances a messianic worldview and is working to undermine democracy. Israel
Iraq's major Dawa Party rethinks course after electoral fumble Iraq's Islamic Dawa Party has been doing some soul-searching since losing the premiership for the first time in 14 years. Iraq
Dogs get their day in Beirut A dog festival in Lebanon urges the government to create more animal friendly policies, as well as more public spaces for the country's dogs. Lebanon
Turkey eyes Washington for its next Khashoggi move Even as reports emerge about the death of a suspected member of the Saudi team that allegedly killed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the steady stream of gory details is losing its shock value while the world waits for Turkey to produce its evidence. Saudi Arabia
Gulf countries concerned as Turkey cozies up to Kuwait Turkey’s military cooperation accord with Kuwait raises eyebrows in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Khamenei instructs Iranian scholars to look eastward In a speech, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei encouraged young scientists to look east rather than west for academic connections. Iran
Women at heart of Dahuk film festival From Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad to the film "Girls of the Sun" at the Cannes Film Festival, 2018 has been a year of Kurdish women. Iraq
Raqqa still haunted by IS one year after its expulsion IEDs planted by the Islamic State in Raqqa still litter the war-torn Syrian city one year after the radical group was ousted from its former stronghold, but mine-disposal teams also find newly planted mines. Syria
Social security law leaves Palestinians less than secure The Palestinian social security law will soon go into effect despite mass protests expressing grievances. Palestine
Why is Qatar helping Hamas in Gaza? The Palestinian Authority believes the Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip serves the interests of the US and Israel, which plan to announce the "deal of the century" that aims at separating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank. Qatar
Syrian High Negotiations Committee under fire Activists in northern Syria have formed a movement to oust the High Negotiations Committee, which they say isn't representing their demands. Syria
Expert: Iraq vulnerable to major security breach As Iraq's security forces have weakened and violence has increased, observers question whether the country could handle a possible resurgence of terrorists. Iraq
Netanyahu ignores Iran's scientific, educational advances Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised himself for security achievements, but neglected to address the worrying decline in Israeli research and higher education. Israel
