A look back: 2016 in review Our interactive timeline shows the stories that have shaped the region so far. Near East
Will Turkey and Iran find common ground in Iraq? Developments in Iraq, coming soon after a visit by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to Turkey, might be forcing a change in Turkey's approach to jihadist groups. Iraq
US energy envoy Pascual to step down US special envoy for International Energy Affairs Carlos Pascual announced he will step down in July. Originals
Khatib blames regional countries for prolonging Syria war Former Syrian opposition leader Moaz al-Khatib says he's open to negotiations with both the Syrian and Iranian governments as a matter of "principle" to help end the bloodshed in Syria. Iraq
Escalating crisis drives surge in Iraq's messianic movements Political and economic hardships in Iraq have contributed to the rise of radical Messianic movements that claim to represent the return of the Mahdi. Iraq
Khamenei rep blames Saudi Arabia, Qatar for Iraq insurgents In a rare moment of directness, a representative of Iran’s supreme leader has directly named Saudi Arabia and Qatar as the cause of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham’s surge in Iraq. Saudi Arabia
Bassiouni: Bahrain's progress limited by 'piecemeal' approach to reforms In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, International human rights lawyer Cherif Bassiouni, who headed the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in 2011, says Bahrain needs to address the core socioeconomic problems that are fueling continued unrest. Bahrain
Turkey's failures in Iraq, Syria linked to Davutoglu The advance of Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) forces in Iraq is forcing a re-evaluation of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s policies and priorities. Iraq
Israeli minister estimates new opposition grouping in fall In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz foresees possible changes in the makeup of the government in October or November, and emphasizes the important role of Hatnua Chairwoman Tzipi Livni in preventing a premature collapse of the diplomatic negotiations. Israel
Israelis ask whether Obama has given up on Iraq The crisis in Iraq has only sharpened the perception by Israelis that Barack Obama is now willing to act with resolve in the Middle East. Palestine
Israel's settlement tourism Following a vast campaign designed to rebrand the West Bank settlements as tourist attractions with guided tours to biblical sites, and to open it up to the Israeli mainstream, the region has become popular with tourists from Israel and overseas. Palestine
Car accidents kill more Yemenis than violence Poor infrastructure is largely to blame for the more than 2,000 yearly deaths on Yemen’s roads. Yemen
Christian Arabs wrestle with Israeli identity Israel's Christian citizens have found a safe haven in Israel, compared with other states in the region. Israel
Congress divided over US military action in Iraq Both Republicans and Democrats are split over whether the United States should use air power to assist Iraqi armed forces. Iraq
Turkey ignored direct warnings of ISIS attack on Mosul Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces another political crisis over the hostage crisis and his Syria and Iraq policies. Iraq
Israel's big fat ultra-Orthodox wedding While the Knesset was electing a president, tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews were gathered nearby to celebrate the wedding of the Belzer rebbe’s granddaughter, two events so close physically, yet socially and ideologically miles apart. Israel
