Al Jazeera’s Egypt closure deals blow to Muslim Brotherhood The suspension of Al Jazeera’s Mubasher Misr TV station in the wake of Qatar’s rapprochement with the Egyptian government has cost the Muslim Brotherhood its main media arm in the country. Qatar
What's holding up Iran nuclear deal? The US Congress must give diplomacy a real chance and not hinder nuclear negotiations with Iran. Israel
High cost of living hits Israeli-Russians hard In an interview with Al-Monitor, researcher Michael Philippov says that young Israeli-Russians are often forced to emigrate due to the high cost of living. Israel
Turkey's AKP pits Kurd against Kurd Attempts by the leaders of Turkey's ruling party to cast a Kurdish Islamist party as an alternative to the PKK are raising serious questions and feeding old rivalries. Turkey
EU: Iran nuclear talks set for Jan. 18 in Geneva Nuclear talks between political directors from Iran and the P5+1 will be held in Geneva Jan. 18, preceded by meetings of the United States, Iran and Russia. Iran
Why Israel's PA tax freeze will backfire Israeli politicians cling to the assumption that punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority will create deterrence and prevent its leadership from diplomatic moves, not realizing that such an approach causes Israel strategic damage. Palestine
Iran-Iraq war photo re-enactment goes viral The photograph, which many mistakenly believe features the children of the original veterans, is the latest of many popular Iranian efforts to keep the era's spirit of solidarity alive. Iran
Egypt forces Brotherhood judges to retire To rid the Egyptian judiciary system of any opposition party, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued three presidential decrees forcing Muslim Brotherhood judges to retire. Egypt
Jordanians' response to executions mixed Jordan’s execution of 11 prisoners last month took the kingdom by surprise and drew a mixed response, including among the royal family, with one prince criticizing it as a “step backward” for the country. Jordan
Yemen falling out of Saudis' grasp Saudi Arabia is struggling to form an effective Yemen strategy as its three main adversaries — the Shiite Houthis, al-Qaeda and the Muslim Brotherhood — continue to dominate the Yemeni arena. Saudi Arabia
Refugee, Lebanese women forge friendships A project to produce mouneh, the traditional processing of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs into jarred preserves, is bringing Lebanese women together with Syrian and Iraqi refugees. Lebanon
Islamic State rejected Gaza jihadists' offer of allegiance A prominent pro-Islamic State Salafist leader in Gaza says the militant group refused pledges of allegiance from jihadists in Gaza because of disagreements and divisiveness among them. Palestine
Teenage suicide bomber hopes for second chance In an interview with Al-Monitor, Usaid Barho, a teenaged suicide bomber dispatched by the Islamic State, tells of his odyssey from an Aleppo mosque to the gates of a Shiite house of worship in Baghdad wearing an explosive vest. Iraq
Senior Fatah official: 'PA will never be disbanded' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Senior Fatah official Jibril Rajoub dismissed calls by colleagues that the Palestinian Authority might be disbanded in response to Israel withholding Palestinian tax revenue. Palestine
Why Israeli Arabs aren't voting in the next elections Residents of the Israeli Arab city Umm al-Fahm cited ongoing discrimination in employment and development resources as why they would not vote in upcoming elections. Israel
Israeli left's attack on Bennett boomerangs The recent attack by left-leaning Israeli media outlets against Naftali Bennett's military past only benefits him. Israel
