Syrian truckers fear for jobs as Turkish drivers cross border Turkish trucks have been entering Syria through the recently opened Bab al-Salam crossing, to the protests of Syrian truckers and shippers. Syria
Dahlan bloc upends election at Fatah university in Gaza The political bloc affiliated with the Democratic Reformist Current of dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan won the majority of seats in the election of Al-Azhar University’s workers union, a blow to Fatah’s popularity. Palestine
Late PM Begin stars in election campaigns The Blue and White party has identified a longing among Israeli voters for a leadership that is modest, honest and inspiring — with the model being what Prime Minister Menachem Begin had to offer. Israel
Is Jerusalem cable car turning Old City into Disneyland? Urbanists are claiming that the Jerusalem cable car project would destroy the ancient city’s skyline, while Karaite community members deplore desecration of their cemetery. Israel
Israeli Third Temple party gains traction The right-wing, radical Zehut party of former Knesset member Moshe Feiglin is gaining traction and might even enter the Knesset following the April elections. Israel
Rouhani in Baghdad seeks outlets against US sanctions Iranian president Hassan Rouhani is paying his first visit to Iraq with the hope of expanding economic relations to allow Iran to counter the tightening noose of US sanctions. Iraq
Sisi's moves to restore Jewish heritage get international applause Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to restore Jewish heritage sites may promote tourism and the image of his country. Egypt
Netanyahu fears tackling Democrats Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has kept quiet so far on the matter involving US Rep. llhan Omar, D-Minn.; he knows his policies have been helping reduce Democratic support for Israel for years. Palestine
Istanbul's first Kurdish film festival casts light on women issues From Saturday Mothers whose sons went missing in the 1990s to homeless children whose parents have been killed, Kurdish films provide a grim reflection on the situation on the ground in Turkey. Turkey
Turkey's economy sinks into recession Financial media say the Turkish economy is in recession, and Turkey refuses to renew the press cards of three German journalists. Turkey
Trump budget nixes aid to opposition-held Syria The Donald Trump administration is doubling down on its decision to eliminate economic and stabilization aid for Syria amid its pending troop withdrawal. Syria
Music for martyrs: AUC highlights songs of 1919 revolution A hundred years after Egypt’s 1919 revolution led to the country's formal independence from Britain, the American University in Cairo paid homage to the artistic legacy of the revolution with the songs of Sayed Darwish. Egypt
Russian forces will defend Manbij 'the minute Americans leave' The Manbij Military Council and Russian commanders have made a verbal agreement over who will defend Manbij when the United States leaves, and Turkey is not part of the equation. Syria
Can joint Turkey-Iran action against PKK be real? Turkey’s wish for a joint operation with Iran against the outlawed Kurdish militants along the Turkish-Iranian border is back on the agenda once again, but how realistic is it? Experts believe it is not. Turkey
Parliament bill may not prevent US troops from staying in Iraq Iraq is smack in the middle of a tug of war between the United States and Iran for influence in the Mideast and faces some tough decisions. Iraq
