Maliki Seeks to Leverage US-Iran Opening Security is at the top of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s visit to Washington, but he may also consider a US-Iran rapprochement as a means to strengthen his chances for a third term. Iraq
Ultra-Orthodox Win Elections In Beit Shemesh Amid Fraud Claims The secular residents of Beit Shemesh are demanding another round of voting in the recent municipal elections, having lost to the ultra-Orthodox by a narrow margin. Israel
Reformist Newspaper in Iran Shut Down Over Imam Ali Article While the first newspaper under President Rouhani's tenure has been shut down for covering a sensitive religious topic, there are signs that the days of mass newspaper closures have not returned. Iran
PUK divided after losses in Kurdistan region parliament The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has fractured following the substantial losses it sustained in September's Iraqi Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections. Iraq
Turkey’s Minorities Still Orphans On 90-Year Anniversary Turkey marked its 90th anniversary with the inauguration of an undersea railway linking the two continents, but Greek, Kurdish and Armenian communities feel disconnected. Turkey
Syrian Artists Remain Creative On Margins of War Syrian artists in the mainly Kurdish northeast are indulging in their newfound freedom to explore their art without regime restrictions. Syria
Fashion Labels Popular In Gaza Despite Hardship Siege and war have not prevented Palestinians in Gaza from keeping up to speed with the latest fashion trends. Palestine
The Return of Mohammed Dahlan The UAE and Egypt are pushing for a reconciliation between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and former Gaza strongman Mohammed Dahlan, who would return to Fatah. United Arab Emirates
Will Tehran’s Iraq Policy Change Under Rouhani? Considering Tehran’s increasing openness with the West, will Iranian policy toward Iraq change under its new president? Iraq
Egypt’s real challenge: reviving the economy Even after a revolution that called for social justice, Egyptians must balance between legitimate demands to rectify the accumulated effect of years of social injustice, and the treasury’s ability to honor these demands. Gulf
Syrian Refugees Now Equal One-Third Of Lebanon’s Population US leads with assistance to Syrian refugees in Lebanon but budget battles and a lack of sufficient support from wealthy Arab states threaten to exacerbate Lebanon’s “existential” crisis. Syria
Iranian Official Discusses Regional Policies Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir Abdollahian discusses Iran’s policies toward Syria, Saudi Arabia, Hamas and Egypt in an interview with Al-Monitor. Regional
Maliki to Appeal for US Help In Fighting Terrorism Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will make the case that terrorism in Iraq is directly related to the war in Syria. Iraq
Exiled Iranian Singer Moein Revives Memories of Another Iran Exiled Iranian singer Moein conquered Washington this week, and with thousands of fans he sang and dreamed of his beloved homeland. Israel
Israeli Drones Haunt Gaza Israeli drones are a constant reality in Gaza, proving a major obstacle to armed factions while destroying Palestinian civilians' sense of security. Palestine
Erdogan Rebuilds Ties to Iraq Regional events are catalysts for a rapprochement between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Iraq
