Six keys to economic reform in Iran Iran meeting its target of 8% economic growth depends on how it handles six challenges that so far have hindered Iran’s economic development. Iran
Protests by Hamas government workers force banks to close Just days after the new Palestinian reconciliation government was announced, a crisis has broken out because employees of the former Hamas government in Gaza have not received salaries, unlike their Palestinian Authority counterparts in the West Bank. Palestine
Culture minister likens Iran's fear of Internet to fear of fax machine Culture Minister Ali Jannati has told Iran's Chamber of Commerce that the country needs to open up culturally and must accept new technologies as they are introduced. Iran
Turkey-PKK peace process unravels in Lice After the violence in Lice, are Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) on a path to resumed violence? Iraq
Refugees help spark Turkish trade with Syria Despite the war, Turkish-Syrian trade is growing in several sectors, fueled in part by the influx of Syrian refugees. Syria
Politicians, media mostly ignore Palestinian hunger strike More than 100 Palestinian detainees being held by Israel without charge continue their hunger strike, but no one seems to notice. Palestine
Egypt’s Nubians demand rights on Aswan High Dam anniversary As Egypt celebrated the 50th anniversary in May of the construction of the High Dam, which displaced thousands of indigenous Nubians, the affected have revived their calls for justice. Egypt
A year in Kuwaiti jail for a tweet? Draft law threatens free speech Kuwait is tightening control of online critics of the royal family with a new telecommunications law. Gulf
Princeton experts propose possible solution on Iran centrifuges A group of influential nuclear experts is suggesting that Iran be allowed to replace its first-generation centrifuges with a smaller number of more advanced machines, and that these be installed in a multinational facility under tight international inspection. Iran
Israel should put Fatah-Hamas government to the test The establishment of a Palestinian government culminates a decade of changes the Hamas movement is undergoing, offering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an opportunity to force it into changing its fanatical charter. Palestine
Egypt's post-election scorecard: losers and winners With Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assuming the presidency, a stocktaking of Egypt’s political landscape reveals some surprising winners and losers. Egypt
US, Iran to hold bilateral nuclear talks in Geneva US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns and Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman are set to meet with Iranian nuclear negotiators in an attempt to close a final accord before the interim nuclear deal expires on July 20. Originals
Liberman: Arabs 'must come out of the closet' Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman outlines his vision for a regional arrangement with Arab Gulf states. Palestine
Week ahead: Iran back in the congressional spotlight A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of June 9. Palestine
'SisiMeter' keeps tabs on Egypt's new president As Egyptian President-elect Abdel Fattah al-Sisi prepares to be sworn into office June 8, most citizens expect modest promises in light of the country’s current crises. Egypt
Turkey finally designates Jabhat al-Nusra a terrorist group Turkey’s Council of Ministers designated Jabhat al-Nusra a terrorist organization the day Syria held its presidential elections. Syria
