Egypt army makes gains against Islamic State in western Sinai

Egyptian Army troops and tribal fighters are working to liberate the northwestern Sinai village of Gilbana from IS control as the terrorist group tries to move its command center there.

Egypt

Tunisian police unions clash with president's plan to unify security forces

Human rights organizations in Tunisia are increasingly concerned about the police unions’ encroachment on politics.

North Africa

Oil smuggling in Syria worsens pollution in Euphrates River

The residents living near the Euphrates River in northeast Syria are suffering the consequences of water pollution mainly caused by oil spills resulting from smuggling operations between the areas held by the Kurdish forces and the Syrian government.

Syria

Syrian jihadist group in Idlib purges hard-liners

A prominent Egyptian resigned from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s Shura Council as the group sidelines hard-line members.

Syria

Islamic Jihad denies rift with Hamas

Hamas' lack of participation in the last round of fighting has further cracked the shaky relationship between it and Islamic Jihad, although the two movements deny being on bad terms.

Palestine

Deadly church fire prompts wide-scale safety inspections in Egypt

After a blaze in a Giza church killed dozens, the Egyptian government says it will systematically review the safety conditions of churches across the country.

Egypt

Analysis

Turkey’s economic crisis coincides with new diplomatic initiatives

Finding solutions: Turkey and the UN are pursuing diplomacy to end Ukraine war while Ankara is considering rapprochement with Syria and mending ties with Israel.

By Week in Review

Will Iraq's Sunnis, Kurds support early elections?

Iraq’s Sunni and Kurdish forces are closely watching developments between the Sadrist movement and the Coordination Framework, so as to take a political position on whether to dissolve parliament and hold early elections.

Iraq

Iran nuclear deal: The devil remains in the details 

The White House denies any concessions beyond the 2015 deal. 

Iran

Israel-Turkish reconciliation takes shape

Jerusalem seems convinced Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan really wants to reestablish good ties between the two countries.

Israel

Israel’s Lapid calls on Europe, US to stop talks on final nuclear deal draft with Iran

After Tehran submitted its reaction to the European Union’s final nuclear deal draft, Prime Minister Yair Lapid is campaigning against the world powers continuing to negotiate with Iran.

Israel

Abbas’ Holocaust remark stirs anger in Israel, Germany

Israeli leaders are furious with remarks made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas belittling the Holocaust, and on German soil of all places.

Israel