Iran Shifts to Lower Gear In Privatization A change of management at the Iran Privatization Organization is the reason for a new focus geared to improved productivity and efficiency. Iran
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: An Israeli Revolutionary Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, who died on Oct. 7, led a social revolution for equality and integration that is yet to achieve its goals. Israel
Natural Gas Resources May Be Backstory in Syria War The Syria war, like many of the region's other conflicts, has an important oil and gas angle. Lebanon
Displaced Syrians Shed Light On Lebanon’s Internally Displaced The continuous flow of displaced Syrians into Lebanon throughout the civil war has served to bring attention to internally displaced Lebanese citizens, who lead similarly disaffected lives. Lebanon
Women's Film Festival in Gaza Touches on Sexual Taboos The Gaza-based women's film festival has daringly screened films addressing women's issues that are considered taboo in this conservative society, including sexuality and harassment. Palestine
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Worried By Possible US-Iran Entente Islamic Jihad is quietly concerned that improved US-Iran relations might result in Tehran rethinking its approach to the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Turkey Should Press Ahead With PKK Process Ankara’s reform package has disappointed the Kurds, but that should not slow the peace process. Turkey
The enigma of Qasem Soleimani and his role in Iraq Al-Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani, profiled in last month's New Yorker, has been among the most influential, and controversial, figures in Iran-Iraq relations. Iraq
Kurdish Groups Take Control In Northeast Syria Kurdish autonomy in north-east Syria will struggle if Syria’s Kurdish forces do not reach an understanding with local Arab residents. Syria
Gulf Cities Emerge As New Centers of Arab World While historic Arab capitals such as Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus are embroiled in civil strife, Gulf cities are powering ahead as new centers for Arab culture, education and business. United Arab Emirates
What Does the Brotherhood Want? As the majority of Egyptians suffer through the slumping economy, the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood continues demonstrating for the reinstatement of deposed president Mohammed Morsi. Egypt
New Fast-Food Chicken Franchise Opens in Algeria Chicken Cottage, a popular British competitor to the US' KFC chain, is a stark contrast to most similarly priced restaurants in Algiers. Culture & Society
Egypt: Neither Coup Nor Revolution The recent clashes in Egypt suggest the country still has not realized the potential of its revolution. Egypt
Anger, Confusion Cloud Iran's Adoption-Marriage Bill While Iran's parliament sought to make marriage illegal between parent and adoptive child, the powerful Guardian Council intervened, drawing unwanted attention to an unusual case. Iran
Assad Warns Erdogan On Turkey’s Syria Policy Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s latest interview reveals again the deep personal enmity between him and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Syria
