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
Brotherhood detainees feel their leaders abandoned them A group of Muslim Brotherhood detainees have signed a letter from inside prison, asking the authorities to pardon them as they are ready to quit political work after feeling abandoned by the group’s leadership. Egypt
Iraq considers appointing powerful clerics to high court Iraq's legislature is mulling over a bill that would change the makeup of the country's top court to include Islamic scholars, stirring controversy over how much influence they should have. Iraq
Trump allies push back on Muslim Brotherhood terror designation Even some hawkish lawmakers question the legal validity and political wisdom of a blanket designation. Egypt
Political Islamists brace to lose financial favors after Istanbul shift After major gains in local elections last month, including a landmark victory in Istanbul, Turkey’s main opposition vows to turn off the funding spigots for Islamic entities, which have long underpinned the ruling party’s electoral machine. Turkey
Ministry of Religious Endowment renaming mosques across Egypt Egypt’s Ministry of Religious Endowments began replacing the names of mosques with political or ideological connotations in a bid to counter what it says is political exploitation. Egypt
Powerful Iranian shrine endowment gets moderate custodianship The appointment of a moderate as custodian of the wealthy Astan Quds Razavi could be a boon to the Rouhani administration — but only if the powers of the hard-line Mashhad Friday prayer leader are curtailed. Iran
Separate and parallel: Why are Iranian conservatives creating ‘safe havens’? The Iranian state appears to be increasingly funneling its resources into preserving and satisfying its loyal base rather than toward all-out efforts to win the hearts and minds of the broader public and enforce ultraconservative practices. Iran
IRGC commanders begin to reprimand Iranians for electing Rouhani Ultraconservative commanders in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are now openly criticizing voters for electing Hassan Rouhani, whose performance they view as the root cause of the country's economic woes. Iran
Iran, India eye closer cooperation amid tensions with Pakistan Rising tensions between Iran and Pakistan is pushing decision-makers in Tehran and New Delhi closer to each other, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the region. Iran
Rouhani leverages Sistani visit to maneuver on Iran's regional policy Hassan Rouhani’s first state visit to Iraq as president has ushered in a series of important economic and political accords between the two countries — but his crowning achievement was his audience with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Iraq
Mired in recriminations, Turkish-Egyptian ties remain stagnant Prospects for improved relations between Ankara and Cairo appear dimmer than ever following recent executions in Egypt. Egypt
Is Egyptian parliament encouraging alcohol consumption? The Egyptian parliament's approval to lift the prohibition of the sale of alcohol in the law on shops has stirred a wide controversy in a country where Sharia is the source of legislation. Egypt
