Analysis Lebanon's Jamaa Islamiya in spotlight as US moves to designate Muslim Brotherhood The Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, is a major Sunni political party in the country. But its armed wing has repeatedly attacked Israel during the war with Hezbollah, putting the group under US scrutiny. By Beatrice Farhat In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict
Analysis Trump’s Saudi F-35 deal jolts Israel’s security elite, weakens Netanyahu The expected sale to Saudi Arabia of American stealth F-35 jets, as well as their sale to Turkey, deeply worries Israel’s security apparatus. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Saudi Arabia, Muslim world mourn passing of grand mufti Leaders from Muslim nations and other countries across the world offered their condolences to Saudi Arabia on the death of Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, who served for more than 20 years during a period of major political and social change in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Jordan summons suspects accused of holding Muslim Brotherhood assets: What to know The Hashemite Kingdom has taken a number of legal actions against the Islamist organization since banning them in April. Jordan
Erdogan plays to base with criticism of Tunisia By slamming the dissolution of Tunisia’s parliament, Erdogan may have emboldened his ideological allies from the Ennahda party, but his criticism might backfire to further isolate political Islam. Turkey
Sadr committed to forming Iraq's first majority government The Coordination Framework, comprised of several Shiite parties is seeking a national unity coalition modeled on previous governments, while Sadr whose bloc won the majority of seats seeks majority government. Iraq
Pro-Erdogan business leaders anxious about Turkey's economy The pro-government business association MUSIAD has stood behind Erdogan’s controversial economic policies but appears concerned that both borrowing costs and foreign exchange prices remain above the desired levels. Turkey
Turkish teen suicide revives secular-pious debate The debate over the place of Islam in public life remains among the most contentious in Turkey. Turkey
Conservative groups seek to shut down concerts in Iraq Iraqis fear that Islamic parties and armed religious groups are trying to impose their fundamentalist views on social and personal freedoms. Iraq
Turkey’s belly dancers can't shake government TV censors Gone are the days where belly dancers appeared on Turkish TVs as part of the country's New Year's Eve celebrations. Turkey
Najaf seminary prepares for post-Sistani Iraq The opening of Sheikh Baqir al-Irawani’s office in Najaf indicates that he may be preparing to be one of the successors to 92-year-old Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, head of the Shiite religious authority. Iraq
Egyptian liberals outraged by lawyer's blasphemy indictment The sentencing of lawyer and Islamic thinker Ahmed Abdo Maher to five years in prison over remarks defaming Islam has sparked controversy in Egypt, accentuating the divide between liberals and ultra-conservatives. Egypt
Hamas student group hosts military exhibition in Gaza The Islamic Bloc, Hamas' student wing, held an exhibition in the Gaza Strip to showcase Hamas' history and military prowess. Palestine
HTS makes rival jihadis in Syria's Idlib take Sharia courses, give up weapons Hayat Tahrir al-Sham managed to eliminate the jihadist Jundallah organization, forcing its operatives to hand over their weapons and take Sharia courses. By Khaled al-Khateb
Why are Turkish-allied formations collapsing in Syria? Factions pulling out of the recently formed Syrian Liberation Front raise questions about the future of Turkish-backed rebel groups. Syria
Activists call Tunisia's first female prime minister mere distraction Tunisia's president has appointed a female prime minister, a first in the Arab world, but he has been both cheered and accused of using her to deflect attention from his policies. North Africa
