Qatar’s prime minister meets US officials as Gaza plan stalls Sheikh Mohammed's visit comes as questions mount over Hamas' disarmament and the role of international troops in post-war Gaza. Qatar
Culture Egypt’s koshary, Gulf’s bisht gain UNESCO recognition The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has added more than 10 cultural practices from across the Middle East and North Africa region this year. Egypt
Barham Salih slated to become first Kurd and Iraqi to lead UNHCR Barham Salih — former Iraqi president of Iraq and widely respected politician in Washington — has been formally nominated to become the next UN high commissioner for refugees. Iraq
Interview UNRWA plans Turkey office to boost Gaza, Syria aid as pledges dip Speaking exclusively to Al-Monitor, UNRWA’s Tamara Alrifai said the upcoming Turkey office would help the agency to expand its operations not only in Gaza but also in Syria. Tamara Alrifai
Exclusive US pushes UN vote to revoke Sharaa sanctions before White House visit By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
UN speech angers Israeli human rights activists Criticism of the controversial speech by B’Tselem director Hagai El-Ad at the UN Security Council cut across the political divide to include some of his colleagues at other Israeli human rights organizations. Palestine
What Nikki Haley’s exit may mean for the Middle East Whoever succeeds Nikki Haley as Donald Trump’s envoy to the UN is unlikely to have the long leash and big platform that she held, especially in the first year, before John Bolton and Mike Pompeo came in. Palestine
Will EU’s ‘SPV’ be able to sustain Iran trade, investment? While a welcomed step, the SPV mechanism that Iran and the EU are working on is only the starting point of a process that needs to be further consolidated in order to enable trade and investment between the two sides. United States
What’s behind Netanyahu’s absence from UNESCO conference? The announcement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejecting the invitation to a UNESCO conference sends a clear message: Israel will indeed quit the agency by the end of 2018. Israel
US stands alone on Iran at Security Council President Donald Trump threatened "severe consequences" for anyone resisting US sanctions. United States
Intel: Why Trump is putting OPEC on notice In a speech at the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, US President Donald Trump assailed OPEC for "ripping off the rest of the world" — seeking lower oil prices before the crucial 2018 mid-term elections. Saudi Arabia
Pressure mounts on Iran's president to skip the UN General Assembly The Iranian president’s planned trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly is sparking divisions among his political backers and opponents. United States
Behind Paraguay's decision to return its embassy to Tel Aviv Analysts say that Palestinian and Paraguayan officials have worked behind closed doors to reverse the decision of the former administration to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Palestine
Trump turns away from the Palestinians In a departure from past US administrations, the Donald Trump administration in a series of recent steps increasingly appears to be aligning the United States against the Palestinians on key issues in the conflict. Palestine
Israel, US seek to redefine Palestinian refugees Israeli diplomats claim that the UNRWA’s mandate must be revised so that the issue of Palestinian refugees will include only the generation that really lost its home. Palestine
Did Trump’s double-speak ‘blow’ chances of Rouhani meeting? The Iranian and US presidents are slated to address the UN General Assembly on the same day next month — but the prospect of direct talks between the two leaders remains dim given the harsh rhetoric and contradictory stances of the US administration. United States
