US prepares new pressure campaign on Assad The State Department believes it can force political concessions on Damascus, in line with recent recommendations from a congressionally mandated panel of experts. Syria
Could Iraq play a role in easing US-Iran tensions? Iraqi political leaders, alarmed by the escalating proxy war between Iran and the United States taking place in their country, are trying to serve as mediators between the two. Iraq
'Neither talks nor war,' Khamenei says of US-Iran tensions Despite recent heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington, Iran's supreme leader said a war will not erupt between the two sides. United States
Turkey steps up efforts to stop all-out assault on Syria’s Idlib Turkey hopes a working group with Russia will ease attacks on Syria’s last rebel-controlled territory, but will convincing Russia require concessions in other foreign policy objectives? Syria
Can Putin, Trump reboot ties over Syria? US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo came to Moscow with a message of reconciliation from President Donald Trump that the Kremlin happily embraced, yet the old disagreements are all still there. Russia
Tunisia's indigenous Amazighs launch their first political party The Akal civil movement, which defends the rights of Amazighs in Tunisia, is entering the political arena. Tunisia
Will the Trump administration abort Iran’s land bridge to the Mediterranean? As tensions between the United States and Iran are at their height in the Gulf region, there are talks about Iran pushing for the opening of al-Bukamal crossing between Syria and Iraq. Iraq
Netanyahu's coalition stumbles over secular-religious standoff Avigdor Liberman has set his secular agenda as precondition for joining the coalition government. Israel
Netanyahu embraces anti-Semites to preserve far-right alliance As long as European anti-Semites serve his goal of blocking sanctions against Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to have no problem with them. Israel
King Abdullah vows to complete restoration of Church of Holy Sepulchre Jordan’s King Abdullah shocked many when he vowed May 7 to help complete the restoration of the Christians’ most important church in Jerusalem. Palestine
Qatari aid includes West Bank, Gaza Strip Qatar's announcement of $480 million in aid to both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has sparked fears over the Saudi response to such aid. Saudi Arabia
After finalizing IMF loan, Egypt’s reforms target industrialization, exports An IMF mission, currently in Cairo to review Egypt’s economic reform program under a $12 billion loan, is focusing on the country’s plan to launch structural reforms, targeting the industrial and export sectors. Egypt
Turkey denies it's building wall around Afrin Turkish-backed factions denied reports that Turkey is building a wall to separate Afrin from the northern Aleppo countryside, saying Ankara is actually boosting its security against potential Kurdish attacks. Syria
Eurovision welcomed to Israel with anti-occupation billboard The anti-occupation group Breaking the Silence prepared its own Eurovision billboard, showing tourists the other face of Israel, that of West Bank occupation. Palestine
Netanyahu dragging Israel into constitutional crisis The campaign of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pass immunity legislation could drag Israel’s political and judicial systems into a constitutional crisis. Israel
Voters mysteriously added, subtracted for Istanbul election rerun While Ankara lawyers express their disappointment that the government rescinded the results of the Istanbul mayoral election, voters are mysteriously added to and subtracted from the electoral roll for the June 23 do-over, even though the roll is supposed to remain the same as for the March 31 election. Turkey
