Turkey’s Kurds celebrate new year, brace for election The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party hopes the March 31 municipal elections will repudiate the government’s removal of its officials from local offices, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that he reserves the right to do so again. Turkey
As US hints at plans to reduce troops, Iraqi MPs divided on what comes next US troops in Iraq are unlikely to leave the country en masse due to US long-term plans to stay, and the sharp disagreement between Iraqi politicians regarding the presence of foreign forces in the country continues apace. Iraq
Four years on, Yemen war remains Saudi Arabia’s albatross The Saudi-led war on Yemen has alienated the kingdom from the US Congress and media outlets, with potentially dangerous consequences for the long-term future of US-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi controversy over the return of Sunni figures accused of terrorism The reports on returning exiled Sunni figures who were sentenced by Iraqi courts to Iraq stirred controversies among Iraqis. Iraq
Egypt seeks capital market boost with new futures exchange Economists say the futures contracts exchange that was recently approved in Egypt will enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian market in general, paving the way for launching a number of futures contracts and commodity exchanges. Egypt
Hamas quashes armed Shiite movement Sabireen in Gaza Hamas makes the lion's share of civilian and military decisions in the Gaza Strip, while small movements such as Harakat al-Sabireen are forced to bow to Hamas' power, which is also supported by the Sunni community. Palestine
Israel’s justice minister sells ‘fascist fragrance’ An Israeli expert warns that the 100-day plan by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked against the legal system resembles anti-democratic moves in Hungary and Poland: "If you want to look two steps ahead and see where they want to lead us and how we will appear to the world, look at those two states." Israel
Israel again turning Temple Mount into a time bomb Israel’s decision to reclose the Bab al-Rahma building reflects once again the government’s provocative and dangerous policy over Temple Mount and Jerusalem. Palestine
US singles out ‘mafia’-like groups as key threat to Iraq’s future In exclusive interviews with Al-Monitor at the State Department, two top State Department officials lay out US policy goals as Iraq seeks normalize and balance ties with Iran and its other neighbors while seeking to prevent a return of the Islamic State. Iraq
Whose side is Russia on in Libya? The visit to Russia by Khaled al-Mishri, president of Libya's High Council of State and a former Muslim Brotherhood member, has raised speculation about Russian policy on a resolution for the Libyan conflict. Libya
New Zealand, Australia outraged over Erdogan’s remarks on Christchurch attacks Turkey’s president has cast the rampage that killed 50 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand as an attack on the wider Muslim world, particularly Turkey. Turkey
Pentagon fails to deliver US strategy on Yemen The Pentagon has missed multiple congressional deadlines to report on US goals for the Saudi-led intervention. Yemen
Road map for Iran-EU trade and investment relations Europe is making efforts to set up a special purpose vehicle to uphold legitimate trade with Iran, but there is a need for a more comprehensive action plan for such trade and political relations. United States
Saudi-Iran conflict threatens to flare in Pakistan Recent Saudi investments in a Pakistani port near the border with Iran are likely to irk Tehran, but Islamabad’s strategic ties to both Tehran and Riyadh make it a prime contender to ease the tensions. Saudi Arabia
France bans flights operated by Iran's second-largest airline Iran's second-largest airline, Mahan Air, has to stop flights to Paris for what has been reported as sanctions imposed by the French government. United States
Turkish intervention could trigger Syria's 'second great war' Mazlum Kobane, the commander in chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, talks to Al-Monitor in an exclusive interview about how the Kurds in northeastern Syria have maintained a complicated network of alliances and why the prospect of Turkish intervention in the region could trigger another war. Syria
