Marwan Barghouti joins latest hunger strike The issue of administrative detention has resurfaced as Palestinian prisoners resume their struggle against the common Israeli practice. Palestine
Fugitive banker handed over to Iran The arrest of the former managing director of Bank Melli could boost Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s campaign promise to reduce corruption. Iran
Iran seeks economic future with West and Russia Iran’s pursuit of sanctions relief as a result of nuclear negotiations would allow it to pursue economic ties with the West while continuing to rely on Russia for its defense and nuclear needs. Iran
Netanyahu bids to postpone presidential elections Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's move to delay Israel's presidential elections is a transparent attempt to derail Knesset member Reuven Rivlin's campaign. Israel
Turkey goes after obesity The Turkish Health Ministry considers offering free weight-loss surgery as efforts to curtail obesity fail. Turkey
Rouhani says 'We will not accept scientific or nuclear apartheid' Before the nuclear negotiations resume this week, Iran's supreme leader, speaker of parliament and president all gave speeches about Iran's priorities in the negotiations. Iran
Cyprus bids farewell to 'ecumenical' Sufi Sheikh Nazim Qubrusi, who died at 92, was a colorful Sufi leader who spread the Naqshbandi order to the West and eased emotional barriers on long-divided Cyprus. Turkey
Syrian government ponders post-election scenarios As the June 3 presidential elections approach in Syria, the government considers how domestic and internal actors will react to the expected re-election of President Bashar Al-Assad. Syria
Former ICC prosecutor says Palestinians can join court In an interview with Al-Monitor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, former chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, says that Palestinian membership in the court is possible, but could also open up Palestinian authorities to prosecution. Palestine
Sisi’s camouflage campaign Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the likely next president of Egypt, is campaigning by not campaigning. Egypt
What can we learn from Homs? Given the collapse of the Geneva process, and the Syrian government’s staying power, localized cease-fires may be the latest trend in the conflict. Iraq
Erdogan outburst: 'This is indecency!' Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashes out at the chairman of the Union of Bar Associations of Turkey during a state event. Turkey
Israel rejects accusations of spying on US Committed never to spy on American soil, some Israeli officials consider the espionage accusations as politically motivated to damage Israel-US relations. Israel
Abu Mazen's overlooked surprise concession on settlements If reports are accurate, PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas agreed to allow 80% of settlers to remain in settlements annexed to Israel, a historic reversal of previous PLO positions. Palestine
Syrian opposition leader not giving up on appeal for anti-aircraft weapons The Syrian National Coalition is trying to convince Congress and the administration that US anti-aircraft missiles can compel Russia — and Iran — to abandon Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Week Ahead: Levin asks for Syrian opposition's wish list Al-Monitor gets preview of the Syrian Opposition Coalition’s request for assistance to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Jordan
