Iran’s hard-liners have already secured a takeover of the parliament in elections this month; Trump says any negotiations are totally up to Iran.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Rouhani faces winter of Iran's discontent
Trump confirms al-Qaeda’s Yemen leader killed
President Donald Trump has confirmed that a US operation killed al-Qaeda’s top leader in Yemen last week.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Trump confirms al-Qaeda’s Yemen leader killed
Syria’s Kurds embrace resilience, beauty in wake of Turkish attack
Turkey's invasion of northeastern Syria has changed the lives of Kurdish residents in myriad ways, from a bump in confidence-boosting cosmetic surgery to pervasive anxiety over whether Turkey will strike again.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Syria’s Kurds embrace resilience, beauty in wake of Turkish attack
Iraq's outgoing government keeps mum on China pact
Iraq's economic agreement with China was signed in October but its details are still a mystery, providing fodder for conspiracy theories and potential legal objections.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraq's outgoing government keeps mum on China pact
Erdogan, Putin endure marriage of convenience
The Turkish and Russian leaders may be unhappy partners, but it is clear that they are committed to each other in Syria's Idlib.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Erdogan, Putin endure marriage of convenience
Why are more Russians buying property in Turkey?
Despite political tensions between Moscow and Ankara, Russians are increasingly purchasing property in Turkey.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why are more Russians buying property in Turkey?
Hamas hikes taxes on imports, including from West Bank
Hamas has imposed new customs duties on goods entering the Gaza Strip but some believe the taxes go too far, especially when they are imposed on items coming from the West Bank.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Hamas hikes taxes on imports, including from West Bank
Israeli left paralyzed over Trump’s peace plan
The Israeli left has failed to challenge President Donald Trump’s 'deal of the century' or to suggest alternative ideas on peace despite the plan's troubling provisions, including revoking the citizenship of Israeli Arabs.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli left paralyzed over Trump’s peace plan
Trump’s 'peace plan' rewards settler violence
President Donald Trump's blessing of territorial annexation is nothing less than a reward for government-sanctioned 'Wild West' settler violence and appropriation as illustrated by the small percentage of indictments for criminal acts committed against Palestinians on the West Bank.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Trump’s 'peace plan' rewards settler violence
US peace plan quashes hopes for Israel-Hamas cease-fire
The announcement of the US peace plan has undermined any prospect for a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US peace plan quashes hopes for Israel-Hamas cease-fire