Collapsed health care system may be biggest threat to Syrians The European Union’s senior humanitarian official tells Al-Monitor that normally preventable diseases are killing twice as many Syrians as fighting. Syria
Turkey's top court upholds separation of powers Turkey’s Constitutional Court overturned a bill strengthening the powers of the minister of justice over the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors. Turkey
April 6 Movement another victim of Egypt crackdown Three leading activists from the April 6 Youth Movement, including founder Ahmed Maher, remain behind bars as Egypt's crackdown widens to include secular activists. Egypt
Who betrayed Egypt’s revolution? Egyptian activists struggle to determine who is to blame for Egypt’s predicament, and how to set the revolution, and the country, back on track. Egypt
Turkish schools abroad victims of AKP-Gulen conflict The struggle between the AKP and the Gulen movement threatens more than 2,000 Turkish schools abroad, which have been seen as the country's most "valuable export commodity" and a "source of prestige." Turkey
Ultra-Orthodox request gender-segregated university study As more ultra-Orthodox seek higher education, universities are struggling with whether to offer segregated courses and programs, which would undermine educational principles and devalue female academics. Israel
Iraqi secularists under attack ahead of elections A religious leader with ties to the Islamic Dawa Party has issued a fatwa banning citizens from voting for secular candidates, as religious currents increasingly claim secular movements are tainted by links to the old regime of Saddam Hussein. Iraq
Erdogan’s quixotic battle against social media The Turkish prime minister’s battles with Twitter and YouTube undermine his government’s international credibility. Turkey
Iran, Azerbaijan to expand ties After several years of conflict, Iran and Azerbaijan have signed agreements to expand ties and improve relations. Iran
Iran nuclear diplomat known to US as tough, professional Prior to the nuclear negotiations, Iran Deputy Foreign Minister Sayed Abbas Araghchi impressed the United States at the Iraq summit in 2007, as a popular and poised envoy to Japan. Iran
Netanyahu needs Obama more than ever if talks fail Israeli Ambassador to Washington Ron Dermer participated in the Republican Jewish Coalition spring meeting, exactly when his prime minister needs the full support of US President Barack Obama for advancing negotiations or backing Israel in the case that they fail. Israel
Lebanon on wrong economic track Lebanon is trying to fix structural economic problems by raising taxes, which will make matters worse. Lebanon
Syria's graffiti revolution Syrian graffiti artists seek to reclaim the spirit of the revolution by taking on both the Assad government and radical Islamists. Syria
Maliki's use of SWAT forces questioned In mid-March, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki criticized police manning checkpoints for delaying traffic, leading to the arrest of some officers by members of the SWAT forces. Iraq
Iraqi government submits controversial emergency powers bill The bill would give near-absolute powers to Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and is filled with loopholes and vague language. Iraq
The real story on Palestine's UN treaties The 15 international treaties signed by the Palestinians have no major effect on Israel. Palestine