Intel: Manbij attack may strengthen Turkey’s hand against Syrian Kurds The suicide attack that killed several US service members and civilians in Manbij yesterday may strengthen Turkey’s hand against Syrian Kurdish groups that it sees as a threat. Syria
How US sanctions intensify rent-seeking in Iran’s pharma sector As US sanctions hit Iranian patients, it is becoming clear that the impact of the sanctions — including renewed opportunities for rent seeking — are also intensifying turf wars in the country’s pharmaceutical sector. Iran
Four years into Salman's reign, Saudi Arabia more unpredictable than ever Saudi Arabia seems to have taken a number of wrong turns since Salman took the throne four years ago; can he make the decisions to get the country back on track? Saudi Arabia
Iranian TV says American-born anchor detained in US An American-born Iranian TV anchor working for Iran's state broadcaster says she has faced mistreatment after being detained upon arrival in the United States. United States
Tunisians cautiously optimistic as truth commission delivers final report After five years of investigating cases of corruption and human rights abuses under former dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission is concluding its mandate, though many say there is still much more to do. Tunisia
Landmark church project stirs mixed sentiments in Turkey Turkey’s Syriac minority will soon start construction on their first new church in the country’s modern history, but not all Syriacs see a reason to celebrate. Turkey
Draft law to pull foreign troops out of Iraq inching toward parliament Shiite parliamentary blocs under the Fatah and Sairoon alliances are working on a draft law to expel US troops from the country and say they will use force if necessary. Iraq
Israel goes after Hamas in Sinai Recent reports suggest that Israel has been leading a campaign in the Sinai Peninsula to stop arms smuggling to the Gaza Strip. Palestine
New IDF chief faces multiple challenges Israel’s new IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi faces multiple challenges on nearby fronts, further away and also vis-a-vis his boss, Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Netanyahu’s lackeys twist IDF history for political gain Senior Likud members Yoav Galant and Avi Dichter are assisting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's campaign to discredit former IDF chief and rising political star Benny Gantz by rewriting history and cynically blaming him for military failures. Palestine
Streaming revives Turkey’s TV industry Turkish production companies are creating original content for Turkey’s internet generation that is receptive to nationally produced TV series available for a fee online. Turkey
Is Russia warming up to the Houthis? Russia has recently raised its profile in the conflict in Yemen both by endorsing UN-led peace efforts and by re-engaging with the Houthis, with whom Moscow has a long and twisted relationship. Yemen
Erdogan displays political prowess in deflecting Trump threat In response to Trump's tweet threatening to destroy Turkey economically if it attacked the Kurds, Erdogan focused on the other half of the tweet: a buffer zone along the Syrian border. Syria
How this royal portrait boosted Qatari national identity A sense of national identity has been growing steadily in Qatar since the Saudi-led blockade began in June 2017, and it seems as though an image of the Qatari emir has helped it along the way. Qatar
