Erdogan may be the world's most 'insulted' leader Lawyers for the Turkish president have sued more than 17,000 people for what they describe as insults to the president, with more than 5,000 convicted. Turkey
Iran's top security body rejects lockdown of epidemic areas Iran said its death toll from the coronavirus epidemic will not stop rising until around the second week of April, while insisting that a lockdown on the hardest-hit provinces is not an option. Iran
Turkey’s Erdogan vows retaliation if Idlib truce violated Turkey and Russia are maintaining a fragile truce in Syria's Idlib, yet the Turkish president said his military may retaliate if its outposts are targeted. Syria
Rap becomes battle cry of Iraqi protests Rap music has exploded among young Iraqi protesters, who bring the music with them to energize their demonstrations. Iraq
Netanyahu, Gantz must return to Cairo 2016 Blue and White leader Benny Gantz should agree to a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, not just to fight the coronavirus, but to resume the Cairo talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Coronavirus climbs up Turkey’s economic risk ladder The Turkish-Russian deal on a cease-fire in Idlib was expected to ease economic jitters in Turkey, yet the country’s risk premium has hardly changed under the impact of the coronavirus crisis. Originals
Intel: Despite new Idlib deal, Russia, Turkey look to strengthen leverage in Syria Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke by phone with his Russain counterpart Sergey Shoigu March 10 about the progress of the bipartisan protocol over Idlib that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed in Moscow on March 5. Syria
Erdogan’s war in Idlib faces uphill battle on the home front Having failed to deliver on his ultimatum to the Assad regime, Erdogan now has a serious credibility problem domestically. Syria
Israel dreads coronavirus outbreak in Gaza So far, the closure has protected the Gaza Strip from the coronavirus, but Israeli specialists estimate that a COVID-19 outbreak there is just a matter of time. Palestine
Can protesters produce a political movement for elections? Iraqi activists and leaders of protests are working to form a political movement to participate in parliamentary elections. Iraq
Yemen's Houthis advance in Marib, Saudi border areas The Houthis have taken over much of al-Jawf and Marib provinces and secured their main stronghold in Saada, expanding the Saudi border areas they control and gaining a short military path toward the source of wealth in Marib. Saudi Arabia
Syrian government struggles with unrest in Suwayda Local figures in Syria’s southern province of Suwayda have been considering solutions to the clashes and tension ongoing with regime affiliates in the province. Syria
Palestinians' electoral success in Israel can't be denied Palestinian citizens of Israel made a huge accomplishment in the latest Israel elections by winning an unprecedented 15 seats. Israel
‘Let them cross’: Turkey’s president defiant on Europe border crisis Turkey's president, after meeting with EU leaders, says Greece should open its border with Turkey to migrants and then let them cross into other European countries; Russian and Turkish patrols for a new security corridor straddling Syria's M4 highway also are set. Syria
Mideast oil producers brace for impact of price slide The global coronavirus outbreak and falling oil prices could spell a massive economic slowdown for oil-producing countries in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Turkey seeks reduced charges against US consulate employee A Turkish prosecutor is seeking 15 years for Istanbul US Consulate employee Metin Topuz for alleged links to an outlawed group, but has dropped separate espionage and coup-plotting charges. Turkey
