Could Egypt turn into police state with new law proposal? In a move described by human rights activists as further restriction on people’s freedom, the Egyptian government agreed to a proposal to force landlords to report their tenants' information to the police. Egypt
Brexit teaches Israel, Palestinians lesson on interim agreements With Brexit complicating the 1998 Northern Ireland Good Friday agreement, Israel and the Palestinians must beware of holding onto an interim agreement and not reaching a final one. Palestine
Al-Azhar sheikh labels polygamy as unjust, stirs controversy Egypt’s grand imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, provoked controversy in Egypt by saying that polygamy can do “injustice to women and children.” Egypt
Palestinian elections could prove promising or impossible It's hard to tell whether Palestinian elections will help heal the Hamas-Fatah divide, as some people hope, or if the divide will prevent elections from even happening. Palestine
The social toll of Turkey’s emergency rule Turkey’s state of emergency ended last year, but its victims continue to suffer, with many entertaining suicidal thoughts or aspiring to leave the country, according to a recent survey. Turkey
How dominant is Netanyahu’s son in his father’s campaign? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s son Yair seems to be extremely involved in his father’s election campaign, stirring it in his aggressive and insulting style. Israel
Israel's Blue and White revamps campaign as numbers drop The Blue and White Party is marketed to the public as a kind of joint leadership of the left and right, but it undermines Benny Gantz' image as the one candidate strong enough to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Gaza rockets shake Tel Aviv, Netanyahu It seems that the Hamas leadership did not order rocket fire on Tel Aviv, but this does not diminish the embarrassment and stress caused to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right before the elections. Palestine
Trump officials warn more Iran sanctions are coming State and Treasury department experts today warned a roomful of businesspeople that trade that is legal now may not be in the near future. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds urge their Syrian cousins to make peace with Damascus Al-Monitor speaks with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani about Iraqi Kurdistan's relationship with Baghdad, trade with Iran and why Turkey must negotiate with the PKK. Iraq
Iranian media: Sistani's meeting with Rouhani endorsement of ‘moderation’ President Hassan Rouhani’s audience with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani signaled an approval of the president’s moderate positions both at home and abroad, according to Iranian media. Iraq
Can books be used for punishment? The sentencing of a veteran Iranian dissident to a jail term and to copy three books by hand has brought the phenomenon of “alternative sentences” to the fore. Iran
Ankara fumes as European Parliament votes to suspend EU talks The European Parliament called on the European Union to halt membership negotiations with Turkey, citing a failure to respect the bloc’s standards on human rights, while Ankara accuses the legislators of giving in to right-wing populism. Turkey
Meet the woman who introduced kimbaps to Gaza Samah Haboub, renowned for her delicious Palestinian meals, has launched an online Korean food business. Palestine
Despite friction, Egypt retains economic ties with Turkey, Qatar Some Egyptians have been calling for the government to seize Turkish and Qatari assets, but so far that hasn't seemed to sour foreigners on Egypt's investment offerings. United Arab Emirates
