Russia's nuclear diplomacy Russia's continuing negotiations and agreements with countries of the Middle East about nuclear power will continue to be a sore point with the West. Russia
Beirut libraries struggle with funding Beirut's public libraries are trying to draw in new clientele in an age where Lebanese social services are vanishing. Lebanon
Living among the dead in Gaza The Palestinian Ministry of Public Works and Housing has failed to provide housing for Gaza’s families, forcing some to live in cemeteries and beg for money. Palestine
Mosul deteriorates under IS occupation Mosul has become an impoverished, broken city whose residents face great risks when they try to contact their loved ones in other Iraqi cities, fearing their Islamic State occupiers' retaliation. Iraq
Kurdish victory in Kobani defeat for Turkish policy Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressly ruled out the northern Iraq model for Syria's Kurds. Syria
Turkey foreign investment slowdown Dutch entrepreneurs topped the list of foreign investors in Turkey in 2014, as the number of foreign companies exceeded 41,000, despite the insecure climate that has emerged in Turkey in terms of democracy and the rule of law. Turkey
Yazidis ask Israel for help Desperate Yazidis are reaching out to Israel, asking for understanding and assistance, especially in the military domain for their fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
Could Meretz Party amass more Arab votes? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Knesset member Esawi Frij says that the strong tribal or family identity of Israeli Arabs will not necessarily encourage them to support the United Arab Party, opening the way to support leftist Meretz. Israel
Netanyahu's Iranian boomerang Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's rejection of an agreement with Iran will result in Israel losing the support of its Western allies and in Iran being legitimized as a nuclear threshold state by its Arab neighbors. Palestine
Lebanese army faces war of attrition The Lebanese army waits for the authorities to take decisive action and cooperate with Hezbollah and the Syrian regime to fight radical groups in Lebanon. Lebanon
Israeli pollsters struggle to keep pace with social media Following the unexpected results of the 2013 elections, can Israeli pollsters grasp the socio-economic concerns of young Israelis expressed online? Israel
Congress gives Obama two more months to strike Iran deal Hawkish Democrats announce they won’t vote for sanctions before March 24 deal deadline. Iran
Turkey’s arms procurement raises questions There are questions being raised about the wisdom of Turkey's expensive defense expenditures — but not by the public. Turkey
Iran warned US of 'consequences' for killing general Iran's deputy foreign minister has said that Iran told the United States that there will be "consequences" for Israel over the Jan. 18 killing of an Iranian general. Israel
Erdogan's Saudi dilemma Experts say Ankara will maintain cordial, if not warm, ties with Riyadh, disregarding deep differences over Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood. Saudi Arabia
Who wants to be a Knesset member? The political arena has lost its attractiveness for people of substantial public service and achievement, opening the stage for media celebrities, and even for the world of soccer. Israel
