Turkey’s protracted PKK problem Although many Kurds do not like the leftist and secular agenda of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the PKK has shown great resilience, in part as the result of the fragmented Iraqi and Syrian states and political missteps by Turkey. Iraq
With Khobar bomber's arrest, Saudi Arabia deals blow to Iran With the recent arrest of the Khobar Tower bomber, Saudi-Iranian tensions have been elevated to new levels. Saudi Arabia
Iranian clerics, filmmakers face off over religious movie In Iran, controversy erupts as "Resurrection," an award-winning film about a Shiite imam, is banned over objections from senior clerics. Iran
Will Rouhani serve a second term? Iran's Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli said in an interview that only a quarter of the president's term has passed and that he will serve eight years as president. Iran
Hoping to multiply long-term growth, Bennett looks to integrate more math studies into Israeli curriculum Education Minister Naftali Bennett's decision to choose math studies as his prime reform plan could help him restore his original political image of being the startup entrepreneur who focuses on Israel's high-tech future. Israel
As Turkey's consumer confidence plummets, what does that mean for the AKP? Turkey’s consumer confidence index — a key indicator that is closely correlated with the AKP’s electoral showings — is on the decline, signaling further losses for the party in the Nov. 1 early elections. Turkey
PKK looks to the future with creation of youth militias Spiraling urban violence is spearheaded by the PKK’s young militias. Turkey
Syria's Palestinians divided over whom to support The war in Syria has split the allegiance of some Palestinians, with Hamas in Yarmouk supporting the armed opposition and those in Nairab aligned with the Syrian regime. Palestine
What happens when a young Israeli soldier chases children who throw rocks Young Israeli soldiers, trained to fight wars, are finding themselves caught up in battles they can't win against a foe that knows how to use the power of imagery. Palestine
Iranian ambassador to the UAE: Iran wants to remove tensions with neighbors Mohammad Reza Fayyaz, the Iranian ambassador to the UAE, blames Saudi Arabia for many of the problems in the region. Saudi Arabia
Israeli video pulls back curtain on IDF treatment of Palestinian kids While in Israel minors are rarely arrested, unless accused of a serious felony, the IDF arrests Palestinian minors for lengthy periods. Palestine
Palestinian National Council gets new life in Amman President Mahmoud Abbas’ call for an emergency meeting of the Palestinian National Council to shuffle the PLO’s Executive Committee has met with opposition. Palestine
Controversy continues over how to cut up Kirkuk The Turkmen, the third national component of Iraq, are demanding arms to fight against the Islamic State, just like the Arabs and Kurds, but territorial squabbles are keeping the various groups at arm's length. Iraq
How will Israel deal with Palestinians in post-Abbas period? As talks about President Mahmoud Abbas’ resignation intensify, Israel seems to be the main beneficiary of the Palestinian Authority's impending political vacuum. Palestine
Palestinian media, public turn to Israeli press for news Palestinian media outlets mine Israeli media sources for material to translate and present to their Palestinian readers, often using it to bolster their position and stick it to their political opponents. Palestine
Looking to invest in Sinai? The Egyptian government has amended its law on development in the Sinai Peninsula to permit Egyptian investors to own the properties where their projects are carried out. Egypt
