Middle East Experience

A recent Turkish airstrike killed a top Yazidi military figure and others in Sinjar, Iraq, as Ankara continues its efforts to contain Kurds.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Turkey bombs Yazidi militia in Iraq affiliated with PKK

There have been no elections in Gaza since 2006, but family groupings in the enclave have started holding votes for a leader and board to administer family affairs.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Gaza men choose family councils but keep women out

Hamas wants to restore ties with Saudi Arabia, but mediation efforts were stymied by disagreements over the US "deal of the century," the Arab Peace Initiative and other issues.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Reconciliation drive between Hamas, Saudis hits wall

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the 2020 budget will go back to being a regular one; the PA operated on an emergency budget last year after Israel cut the PA's tax funds.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israel’s paring of Palestinian tax funds hampers PA budget preparation

Amid little hope left for the recently observed Idlib cease-fire, opposition activists said the latest speech delivered by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani cannot be built upon during the upcoming confrontations.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Syrian opposition lambastes Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader

The Popular Mobilization Units will face fragmentation and division after the assassination of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who was the backbone of the Iran-backed organization.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: What's in store for Iraq's PMU after death of top commander?

Draft law amendments have been approved in order to effectively counter terrorism and terrorism financing in Egypt, but opponents argue the measures are unconstitutional.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Why Egypt is amending its terrorism law

Following a series of announced boycotts, including by the Iranian director Massoud Kimiai, this year's Fajr International Film Festival announced the cancellation of its opening ceremony in a gesture of solidarity with the families of the people killed when Iran-fired missiles struck a Ukrainian airliner.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran's top cultural event jeopardized by artist boycotts

Popular sports host Adel Ferdosipour, who recently witnessed his show being taken off the air by hardliners in the state TV, has now launched a new show on the internet.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Meet the dismissed sports host who challenged Iran’s state TV

Excavated since 1990 by Belgian and Turkish archaeologists, Sagalassos offers not only a visit through majestic Roman monuments but also a glimpse on how people lived, worked, worshipped and died in the past.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Archaeology clashes with development in Turkey's ancient city of Sagalassos