Egypt, Turkey vying for clout Turkey has loudly criticized the Egyptian regime, pointing to a growing competition between the two countries for prominence. Egypt
Russian Industrial Zone in Suez to be launched soon The construction of the Russian Industrial Zone in the new Suez Canal Economic zone is expected to begin soon, in a project that Egypt hopes will boost its economy. Egypt
Will Algerian protesters accept ailing president’s offer for reforms? Against a background of growing dissent, Algeria’s ailing president has confirmed his intention to run in April’s elections; however, whether a commitment to reform and a fresh vote within the year, delivered by proxy, will be enough to quell protest remains uncertain. Algeria
Iranian forum looks to address so-called 'sexual crisis' An Iranian media group is sponsoring a series of talks on the taboo subject of sex to deal with the so-called sexual crisis in the country. Iran
Iraqi artists keep up pottery tradition Iraqi pottery craftsmen fear that their ancient craft will disappear, even though this art is now picked up in academia. Iraq
'No money, no marriage' sparks dueling social media campaigns After young Egyptian men launched a campaign to boycott marriage due to the unfulfillable demands of prospective brides' parents, women countered with a campaign of their own in defense of their families. Egypt
Zarif’s stock rises with support from Soleimani While Iran’s foreign minister carries the day against hard-liners, Israel hopes to exploit possible cracks in Tehran’s Syria policy. Israel
Israeli ultra-Orthodox journalists in love with Twitter Ultra-Orthodox journalists explain that the use of Twitter opened up their world to the general Israeli society, breaking several stigmas and misunderstandings. Israel
The campaign to equate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism Although some acts of anti-Semitism are perpetrated under the guise of anti-Zionism, anti-Zionists, a group that includes some Israelis, are not anti-Semitic despite a definition of anti-Semitism being promoted by the International Alliance for Holocaust Remembrance and Israeli governments under Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Turkey’s new Kurdish card in Syria: Kurds themselves A relatively new Kurdish group that doesn't reject relations with Turkey is rising, calling itself the Independent Kurdish Coalition of Syria. Syria
Soleimani's support boosts Zarif, isolates Iran's hard-liners Iran’s foreign minister has returned to his post with renewed authority after expressions of support from an array of the ruling elite, but his hard-line detractors are still poised to make gains in the country’s next elections. Iran
Egypt’s unemployment rate declines to pre-revolution levels amid economic recovery Although the Egyptian government is initiating programs to encourage work in the private sector, some graduates still see unemployment as a threat to young people. Egypt
Has Islamic State returned to Iraq? Despite Iraq’s declaration of victory against the Islamic State in 2017, IS sleeper cells have recently become active across the country. Iraq
Deadly Cairo train crash brings to surface anger, discontent in Egypt Egyptians are fed up with the government’s negligence of the railway sector after a fatal train crash killed more than 22 people in Cairo. Egypt
American University in Cairo celebrates centennial with gift of art The American University in Cairo kicked off its centennial year by rededicating its original campus as a cultural arts center. Egypt
