Rouhani says he doesn’t want photo-op with Trump — but maybe he should French President Emmanuel Macron, the man in the middle, is appealing to both sides for compromise. Russia
The bitter legacy of Turkey in Afrin Afrinis fear the destruction of religious and historic sites, and ethnic cleansing in Turkish-controlled Afrin is helping in the resurgence of Islamic State and other al-Qaeda affiliated groups. Syria
Burial of unidentified Iraqi bodies sparks sectarian debate Iraqi Sunnis accuse the government of trying to cover up Shiite violence against them by burying bodies of displaced persons who haven't been identified. Iraq
Digital taxation push raises eyebrows in Egypt The Egyptian Ministry of Finance is working on a bill that will tax digital ads in Egypt, much to the concern of e-commerce enterprises. Egypt
What’s behind strained relations between Egypt and Libya’s GNA? Relations between the Libyan Government of National Accord and the Egyptian regime are degenerating as the two sides exchange accusations. Egypt
Tensions between Saudi, UAE allies threaten government in south Yemen The Saudi Arabia-UAE coalition intervened in the war in Yemen to restore the government’s seat in Sanaa, but today fighting between proxies for Riyadh and Abu Dhabi could topple the same government in the temporary capital of Aden. Saudi Arabia
Former PM Olmert: 'Netanyahu is finished' In an exclusive Al-Monitor interview, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will fail to form a government after the Sept. 17 elections and will be cast aside by Likud before a third round of elections. Palestine
Gaza explosions leave Hamas exposed The two terrorist explosions that rocked the Gaza Strip despite Hamas’ tight security measures triggered questions about the movement’s capacity to stand up to the Islamic State. Palestine
Will Iran retaliate after recent Israeli attacks? Israel seems to be provoking Iran by striking the latter's proxies in Iraq and Lebanon. But Tehran is not showing willingness to directly engage in an all-out war with Tel Aviv. Iraq
Why Sufis let Alexandria mosque be destroyed The Egyptian government faced little opposition as it demolished a Sufi mosque in Alexandria to conclude a major road project, suggesting Sufis’ need for political protection may outweigh their reverence for shrines. Egypt
Palestinian officials encourage competition among banks The Palestinian government in Ramallah will begin allowing Palestinian banks to compete with Bank of Jordan branches in the territories to collect citizens' payments for licenses and taxes owed to the Ministry of Transportation. Palestine
Ahead of elections, Netanyahu 'remembers' cannabis-needing patients It was only when he needed the Zehut party for electoral reasons that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ''remembered'' the thousands of patients needing cannabis for medical reasons. Israel
Pentagon touts Space Command as boon to Middle East role The Donald Trump administration's launch of a Pentagon command to defend US space orbiting satellites could give Middle East commanders a boost in protecting their eyes and ears on the battlefield. Gulf
Ousted HDP mayors react as Erdogan promises judicial action Three dismissed opposition mayors responded as the Turkish president said new judicial actions would address their alleged terror activities in the upcoming parliamentary session. Turkey
Will rancor or realism prevail in Turkish-Israeli ties? While there continues to be a large political gap between Turkey and Israel, economic ties continue to be strong despite the lack of a gas pipeline deal. Israel
