Iraq fears bevy of levees will mean parched years ahead

Although the water level is high this year in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Turkey's imminent filling of the Ilisu Dam reservoir is raising concerns about Iraq's water flow next year and for years to come.

Iraq

Iranian MPs debate parliamentary elections at provincial level

Iranian parliamentarians are debating legislation that could see parliamentary elections held at provincial levels, provided that the Guardian Council won’t strike down the idea yet again.

Iran

Khamenei calls on Iran to learn from devastating floods

As Iran continues to grapple with the devastating flooding that has ravaged the country, its supreme leader has urged officials to learn from the calamity.

Iran

Pompeo blames Iran flooding on regime mismanagement, offers US help

While the Trump administration said that it was prepared to help Iran following extensive flooding, at the same time it blamed the disaster on "regime mismanagement."

United States

Controversial Iranian rapper reignites clash between Reformists, hard-liners

An Iranian rapper's weed-smoking at a concert in Georgia has given Reformists another chance to attack rival conservatives, who once idolized the controversial singer.

Iran

Separate and parallel: Why are Iranian conservatives creating ‘safe havens’?

The Iranian state appears to be increasingly funneling its resources into preserving and satisfying its loyal base rather than toward all-out efforts to win the hearts and minds of the broader public and enforce ultraconservative practices.

Iran

Iranian Red Crescent says US sanctions impeding flood relief

The Iranian Red Crescent complained that US sanctions are impeding the collection of international aid to help its response to disastrous floods.

Iran

5 obstacles to Khamenei’s call for ‘boost in domestic production’

While the Iranian supreme leader’s emphasis on domestic production in the face of external sanctions makes a certain amount of sense, the question is how such a strategy should be implemented — and in which sectors of the economy.

Iran

Hamas leadership seeks to restore ties with Syria

Hamas sees an opening to rebuild ties with Damascus.

Palestine

Syria's Kurds increasingly isolated as Arab tribes cut deals with regime

As Damascus recovers more territory, Arab tribes throughout Syria are increasingly open to working with Damascus to restore security.

Syria

Iran continues to struggle to keep workers content

The Iranian government, members of parliament, employers and labor activists have finally agreed on wage increases to alleviate the burden on workers. But much more remains to be done to shield Iranian workers from rising prices.

Iran

Did Trump’s decision on Golan undercut Putin mediation on Syria?

Russian President Vladimir Putin thought he had a deal in Helsinki; Turkey rethinks Syria ties over Kurds.

Israel