UAE firm’s $1.7B legal threat spotlights Gulf split on Lebanon as Qatar invests Lebanon’s bid to lure Gulf investment into its crisis-stricken economy is facing turbulence as Dubai's Al Habtoor Group threatens legal action over more than $1.7 billion in losses, while Qatar is making an investment push. Lebanon
Syria leans on Jordan, regional gas deals to rebuild energy sector The deal was signed at the Syrian Ministry of Energy between Syrian Petroleum Company and Jordan’s National Electric Power Company, SANA reported. Syria
Qatari, Swiss firms to invest $2.7B in Libya's Misrata port: What to know Libya is seeking to increase its non-oil shipping capacity amid rising oil production and signs of both economic progress and turmoil. Qatar
Saudi Arabia and Qatar ink high-speed rail deal advancing Gulf integration Saudi Arabia is seeking to boost its railway infrastructure, and longstanding efforts to connect Gulf states by train are finally gaining momentum. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Iran’s mismanagement in focus as fires ravage 25-million-year-old forests By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Analysis Iran revives cross-border rail projects in bid to anchor Eurasian trade routes By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Analysis Water for influence: Turkey moves to ease Iraq's water shortages ahead of elections By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Iranian authorities scramble to deal with quake aftermath Al-Monitor travels to the towns of western Iran, where a 7.3 magnitude earthquake has left at least 452 dead and many more homeless. Iran
Egypt hopes ban on street ads can give cities face-lift While the government argues that a new ban on street advertisements will beautify cities, critics fear a negative economic impact. Egypt
Iranian media blames Ahmadinejad for quake deaths Iranian Reformist media outlets are pointing the finger at former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the high death toll from the recent earthquake in the western part of the country. Iran
Trash situation still stinks as Lebanon leans on 'temporary' landfills The Lebanese Cabinet has requested a study on the possibility of expanding the Costa Brava and Bourj Hammoud landfills, which were intended to be temporary but filled before their time. Lebanon
Istanbul’s housing sector in turmoil The increase in housing prices in Istanbul has fallen below both the inflation rate and the increase in construction costs, signaling serous trouble for a sector that has long been a driving force of the Turkish economy. Turkey
The business of war: Egypt, others eye reconstruction bids Despite lingering security concerns, Egypt is seeking a substantial, lucrative role in rebuilding Syria and Iraq. Egypt
Why is Turkey so invested in rehabilitating Syrian city of al-Bab? After Turkey and allied rebel forces ousted the Islamic State from the northern Syrian city of al-Bab, Ankara is now doubling down on efforts to rebuild infrastructure and boost education in the area. Syria
Moscow, Cairo discuss boosting ties Representatives of Russia and Egypt seemed pleased with the outcome of their meetings this week, as they touched base on current regional developments and talked through their perspectives. Qatar
Deadly crash sparks calls for railway reform in Egypt After a train crash earlier this month left over 40 Egyptians dead, many are calling for a new approach to addressing the chronic problems facing the country's rail system. Egypt
Turkish foundation helps Syrians recover from devastation of war The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation is restoring mosques in the Syrian province of Aleppo, recruiting preachers and teachers and providing hundreds of job opportunities. Syria
Turkey might seek more than mere reconstruction in northern Syria Turkey’s ambitious and costly reconstruction projects in the Jarablus/al-Rai/al-Bab triangle of northern Syria suggest comprehensive society-building. Syria
Japan comes to the rescue of Gaza's hospitals With funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Health, solar panels will be installed in Gaza's hospitals to provide electricity to vital care units. Palestine
