US and Iran Speak 'Same Language' in Nuclear Talks Western diplomats have said that the latest round of talks on Iran's nuclear program, the first since the election of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, have been the most substantive and given hope that an agreement could eventually be possible. Iran
US negotiator to brief Congress on Iran talks Lead US Iran nuclear negotiator, Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel that the Iranians seemed serious about wanting to close a deal and assured that the Obama administration would remain firm in negotiations. Iran
Syrian refugees test tolerance in Turkish cities In many of Turkey's cities, the growing presence of Syrian refugees has stirred conflicting views on Turkey's approach to the refugee community. Syria
Israel Intel Minister: Not pessimistic about Iran deal Israeli Intelligence Minister Yuval Steinitz has said while he believes Iran wants a nuclear deal to save its economy, the US should not let up on economic pressure or close an interim deal with the Islamic Republic as it would lead to the sanctions regime crumbling. Israel
Obama officials ask Congress to delay new Iran sanctions Senior White House national security officials met with aides to Senate leaders and urged for a delay in new sanctions legislation being considered by the Senate Banking Committee. Iran
Appointments: Beers may go to White House, Kaidanow for State CT Current Acting US Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers may move to the White House National Security Council Staff; additionally, Deputy US Ambassador to Afghanistan Tina Kaidanow is expected to be nominated to be the next State Department Counter-Terrorism Coordinator. Originals
Life inside Khan Yunis A firsthand account of the intense shelling of Khan Yunis, which left scores of civilians dead and houses turned to rubble. Palestine
Reformist Iranian newspaper under fire for Gaza cartoon An Iranian newspaper is under fire for a cartoon depicting Palestinian civilians as being "neutral" victims in a war between two sides, which some have interpreted the depicted conflict as being between Israel and Iran. Iran
Turkish spy agency's image makeover Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) is undergoing a controversial image repair and institutional reconstruction after court proceedings revealed the agency's role in murders during the 1990s. Turkey
Baghdad seethes as Erbil hosts revolutionary tribal conference A revolutionary tribal leaders conference was held in Erbil, stirring harsh criticism from Baghdad that these armed groups are working with the Islamic State. Iraq
UAE and Qatar compete as Saudi Arabia looks on The United Arab Emirates and Qatar are pursuing opposing foreign policies in the Middle East that are fueling tension between the two Gulf states, as Saudi Arabia keeps its distance. Saudi Arabia
What made Abbas change position on Gaza war? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas surprised many, including his Palestinian critics, when he publicly expressed support for armed resistance against Israel in Gaza. Palestine
Independent media fades in Iraqi Kurdistan The proliferation of independent media organizations in Iraqi Kurdistan in the early 2000s is reversing as political parties invest heavily in media outlets while intimidating independent journalists. Iraq
Pro-regime Syrians take risks to dodge draft The Syrian army is continuing to conscript recruits for compulsory military service, but young men, including supporters of the regime, are avoiding conscription at the risk of arrest and imprisonment. Syria
Forced from Mosul, centuries old Christian community vanishes The Islamic State robbed Christians of their money and valuable possessions as they forced them from their ancestral home in Mosul. Iraq
Israel’s public agenda shifts back to security Israeli citizens are experiencing their first real security threat since the social protests of 2011, threatening to turn the national priorities from socioeconomics and social justice back to security. Israel
