Iran, Saudi Arabia find common ground in Yemen Despite fears of increasing Riyadh-Tehran rivalry, Yemen's unity government serves the interests of both Iran and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Last days of Iran talks showed signs of promise There had been indications of new progress behind the scenes in the Iran talks' final days. Iran
Hezbollah arrives in Iraq As the battle against the Islamic State evolves, experienced members of Hezbollah arrive in Iraq to provide guidance and training. Iraq
Insecurity strengthens Israeli right A poll after the attack on the Har Nof synagogue and an academic study indicate that when Israelis feel threatened, it plays into the hands of the right-wing parties, at the moment benefiting first and foremost the Likud Party. Palestine
Turkey’s next election could shape more than next four years Once Turks head to the polls in June 2015 for their next scheduled general election there will be no further local or general elections until 2019. Turkey
Israel views extension of Iran talks as lesser of two evils Israel's attitude, favoring no nuclear agreement with Iran over a bad one, resulted in it being denied any direct influence on this phase of the negotiations, even if some of its worries are legitimate and shared by the US Congress. Israel
Ankara, Baghdad turn over new leaf in relationship Prospects for political, economic and security cooperation between Ankara, Baghdad and Erbil look much better today despite issues that have to be ironed out. Iraq
Will Nubian demands for return become calls for secession? The Nubian people in Egypt are demanding their rights to return to lands from which they have been displaced multiple times through history, while some consider that they might also start calling for secession. Egypt
Iran leader: Nuclear issue won’t bring Iran to its knees Reactions have been mixed inside Iran to the announced extension of the nuclear talks as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains defiant. Iran
Former police chief speaks out about Turkey’s 'parallel state' Former police Chief Hanefi Avci, among the first to expose Turkey’s “parallel state” and one of its high-profile victims, retains a realistic and cool-headed attitude on the issue, unlike some pro-government propagandists. Turkey
Syrian link suspected in Chechen murder in Ankara The 2013 murder of a prominent ethnic Chechen in Ankara may have been a retribution for his opposition to Chechen involvement in the jihadist war in Syria. Syria
Turkey's Gul returns for encore Turkey's former President Abdullah Gul emerged from "retirement" to attend the Halifax Security Forum in Canada. Turkey
Despite controversy, religious art increasingly popular in Iraq Iraqi artists who specialize in painting imams and sacred historical figures find themselves in demand even though their art provokes a religious backlash from some. Iraq
Israel violates terms of Gaza cease-fire Israel is still not abiding by the terms of the cease-fire deal that ended the Gaza war in August, and still harasses and fires at Palestinian farmers and fishermen. Palestine
Tunisian youth skip presidential vote Tunisia’s presidential elections are seeing a low youth voter turnout, as many young Tunisians are frustrated that the candidates are not addressing their core issues: employment and economic opportunity. Tunisia
Does nationality bill threaten Israeli democracy? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Democracy Institute President Yohanan Plesner argues that the proposed nationality bill would project the image of a state where democratic values are eroded and non-Jewish citizens are not seen as equal to Jewish ones. Israel
