Pompeo's Cairo speech panned as ‘tone-deaf,’ ‘hyper-partisan,’ ‘offensive’ Former diplomats and regional experts say Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s Cairo address fell short on substance and policy vision, while inappropriately taking domestic partisan arguments to foreign soil. Egypt
The real reason Egypt tried to quash Sisi's '60 Minutes' interview While the Egyptian president's comments on human rights and political prisoners angered Western observers, his comments on coordination with Israel pose a greater domestic threat. Egypt
Iran state TV airs video making case for jailing of British-Iranian dual national A video aired on Iranian state television featured previously unseen footage of the arrest of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. Iran
Turkey says Syria offensive does not depend on US troop withdrawal Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has warned against attempts to delay Turkish plans to fight a Kurdish militia in Syria when the United States pulls its forces out. Syria
Turkey’s crisis-hit soccer clubs face bitter pills in rescue plan A “rescue” plan is in the making for Turkey’s cash-strapped soccer clubs, but the operation might result in further political control over the soccer industry. Turkey
Debate over Syrian refugees gathers steam in Turkey Young Syrians celebrating New Year’s Eve in public Istanbul squares ignited false claims that Syrians are enjoying life in Turkey while Turkish soldiers die for their country. Syria
Anger among Iraqi Kurds as Syria adds Masrour Barzani to terror list The Kurdistan Regional Government has been quick to respond after the Syrian government named Masrour Barzani, the son of Massoud Barzani, to its list of terrorists. Iraq
Iranian fintech firms carve their place in fast-changing landscape Fintech firms in Iran have overcome significant hurdles during the past year to participate in devising regulations and setting the stage to change the country’s financial landscape. Iran
Egypt’s internal debt rises on wider budget deficit Egypt announced a plan for the issuance of treasury bills and bonds worth 181.5 billion Egyptian pounds, but experts say the government should slash outlays and increase public revenues through a raft of measures to ease the country's budgetary woes. Egypt
Syria’s Kurds seek outside help to negotiate with regime Though the Syrian military recently came to the aid of Kurds in the face of a Turkish attack, the Kurds still have differences to settle with the regime and are hoping for external mediation. Syria
Palestine on right track to protect children The Palestinian Prosecution launched a new service to protect children from abuse, which is likely to reduce violations against the rights of children. Palestine
Sisi attempts to breathe new life into Egyptian security services Increasing operations by militants in Egypt's Western Desert have led to personnel changes in the military and security forces. Egypt
Can Israel's Arab parties survive Joint List split? The decision by Knesset member Ahmad Tibi to leave the Joint List has shaken up an alliance already ruptured by ideology and personal interests. Israel
Pro-settler rabbis ignore Jewish values, democracy A group of rabbis supports settler youths suspected in causing the death of a Palestinian woman, instead of condemning their act and defending human rights and democracy. Palestine
New Congress targets Turkey US lawmakers are still eyeing Turkey warily, even after it released US pastor Andrew Brunson. Turkey
