As Syria finalizes candidates for parliament, women make up 14% of list Syria’s parliamentary elections are set for Sunday, when electoral committees will select 140 lawmakers before President Ahmed al-Sharaa appoints the remaining 70. Syria
Saudi Arabia and Qatar pledge $89M for Syrian public sector: What to know The new Syrian government has struggled to pay public workers sufficiently and is implementing a plan aimed at rooting out “ghost employees" who do not show up to work. Syria
Egypt holds second Senate vote as pro-Sisi parties dominate: What to know The Senate elections, dominated by pro-Sisi government parties, feature fewer party list and individual candidates compared to elections held in 2020. Egypt
Analysis Sudan’s new PM dissolves government but military control remains firm In his first public address, Prime Minister Kamil Idris set ambitious goals to restore security by eliminating “rebellious militias,” though analysts warn the goal may be beyond his reach. By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Hussein Sheikh as PLO's first vice president: Palestinian reform or Abbas gesture? By Rosaleen Carroll In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East
Analysis Can Modi leverage Saudi-China ties to reshape India’s global standing? By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Iraq’s two leading parliamentary movements amp up coordination The Fatah and Sairoon movements have stepped up their efforts to see that the Cabinet is completed and for the government to properly face the issues ahead. Iraq
Is Libya's revolution anniversary cause for celebration? It seems Libyans have nothing to celebrate on the eighth anniversary of its revolution. Libya
PMU whittles membership as Iraqi government absorbs militia Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units are forcing factions out and closing their operations as part of the integration process into Iraq's official security forces. Iraq
Cowed Egyptians meet Sisi’s power grab with apathy The rare voices who spoke out against the push to extend the president’s term have faced a campaign of intimidation. Egypt
Will Sisi run for third term? Egypt is seemingly heading toward amending Article 140 of the constitution, as well as others, which would allow President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for one or even two consecutive terms of six years each. Egypt
What is driving Ankara’s love for Nicolas Maduro? Coup attempts in any country — democratic or not — continue to act as emotional tripwires for Erdogan and his supporters, especially if these attempts are supported by the West. Turkey
As Iraqi army retreats to borders, local police controls cities' security As the security situation improves in Iraq, the Iraqi army is handing security of the cities to the local police. Iraq
The (de-)evolution of Turkey's Foreign Ministry Career diplomats and Foreign Ministry bureaucrats have been shoved aside and demoralized by the conduct of Turkey's foreign policy under Justice and Development Party governments. Turkey
Egypt launches international academy for preachers, imams Egypt’s Ministry of Endowments opened an international academy to train preachers and imams with the aim of renewing religious discourse and eliminating extremism. Egypt
Iran’s Reformists under pressure to clean house amid criticism of leadership Harsh criticism of the Reformist camp has led to soul-searching among its members, with institutional reform on the horizon. Iran
Turkey’s paid exemption from military service system begins Will the new paid military service waiver program be Turkey’s last? Turkey
Will Iran’s Reformists succeed in gathering all factions under one roof? Iranian Reformists are gathering forces to form a new assembly. But while some think it could be a chance for a democratic entity to represent the movement, others argue that Reformists need to reconnect with society rather than forming new bodies. Iran
