Iran, P5+1 to meet June 16-20, EU says The next round of P5+1 talks is scheduled to take place in Vienna from June 16-20. Originals
Sisi loses turnout battle in Egypt's election While Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to win in a landslide, the low voter turnout reflects the failure of his campaign to manage expectations and build a mandate for governance. Egypt
Leviathan gas deal may be catalyst for Israel-Turkey reset Is the Turkish court’s decision to indict former Israeli army chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi for the Mavi Marmara flotilla raid part of the reconciliatory diplomatic ballet by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, eyeing the “Leviathan” gas field? Israel
Israel prefers right wing over radical Islam in Europe The shooting at the Jewish Museum in Brussels coupled with the rise of the extreme right in recent EU elections brings the “new anti-Semitism” into Israeli public discourse, though the context of these two events might hide another reality. Israel
Kuwait lags on development despite oil wealth Kuwaiti plans for major infrastructure and development projects have failed to get off the ground, despite consecutive budget surpluses. Kuwait
War profiteers plunder Syria Both Syrian government forces and rebels are accused of rampant, systematic looting and robbery of civilian homes. Syria
Changes in Saudi Defense Ministry a matter of family politics The leadership of the Saudi Ministry of Defense is being reshuffled quickly, indicating an effort to concentrate power and influence in the hands of the sons of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Saudi Arabia
Hamas leader stresses 'concessions' in reconciliation deal Some Hamas officials had hoped Khaled Meshaal would take a tougher stand on Fatah in his most recent speech, as Hamas members in the West Bank continue to be arrested despite the reconciliation deal. Palestine
Erdogan visit riles German government Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan brought his divisive politics to Cologne. Turkey
Rouhani under fire for saying heaven can’t be forced Influential Iranian conservative Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami has criticized President Hassan Rouhani for saying that people cannot be taken "to heaven through force and a whip." Iran
Kuwait offers plan to buy foreign citizenship for Bedoon A Kuwaiti official publicly has announced plans to naturalize the emirate's stateless community, the Bedoon, in the Comoros in exchange for economic incentives. Kuwait
Iran, EU negotiators expected to meet (Updated) Iran and EU nuclear negotiators plan to meet in Istanbul this week. Originals
Egypt’s vote for repression While Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is expected to win in a landslide, democracy is a loser in today's election in Egypt. Egypt
Women in Iran's factories face hardship, discrimination Female factory workers in Iran face many challenges in the workplace, and recent laws encouraging reproduction have made their situations even more difficult. Iran
Erdogan’s misguided Alevi strategy Is Erdogan’s sectarian brinkmanship a political ploy or recipe for disaster? Turkey
Russia rejects UN resolution as pretext to Syria 'intervention' Russia is standing by Syria, including its elections, and warning the United States and other members of the UN Security Council against the perils of "external intervention." Syria
