Win or lose, Turkey's Kurds will advance in June elections Turkey’s main Kurdish-dominated party could deal a serious blow to the ruling Justice and Development Party if its efforts at attracting broad support succeed in helping it surpass the 10% voting threshold in the June general elections. Turkey
Lebanese interior minister warns of 'death triangle' The Islamic State is taking refuge within Lebanon’s borders, where the group appears to be taking advantage of impoverished Lebanese citizens to execute suicide bombings. Lebanon
Congress torn between Europe, Israel on Iran Lawmakers are forced to pick sides after key allies publicly come down on opposite sides of sanctions push. Congress
Obama, Kerry freeze out Bibi over impromptu Hill visit The upcoming meeting to reach an Iran nuclear deal raises tensions between the Obama administration and Israel. Congress
Yemen falls apart The death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and the resignation of Yemen's President makes Yemen the first priority for Saudi's new King Salman. Saudi Arabia
Did the West write Erdogan off for Israel’s sake? The Western media’s anti-Erdogan stance is fueled by Erdogan’s own partisan and ideological rhetoric. Turkey
Why Israel's Hezbollah strike didn't bother Turkey's Islamists The latest Israeli attack on Hezbollah reveals Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s anti-Assad stance is stronger than his anti-Israel rhetoric. Israel
Poor Tripoli district becomes hotbed for extremists Mankoubin is one of the impoverished neighborhoods of Tripoli, producing youths who have joined such extremist groups as Jabhat al-Nusra and the Islamic State and have carried out attacks in Syria and Iraq, as well as in Lebanon. Lebanon
Will a united Israeli Arab party survive elections? Despite huge ideological gaps, Arab parties in Israel are trying to form a joint list for the election, but their traditional voter base might not follow. Palestine
Cairo metro fare hike results in public backlash Egyptian news recently reported that the Transport Ministry will increase the price of a metro ticket by 2,500%, which activists consider extremely unfair. Egypt
Iraqi politicians work toward national consensus Afters years of internal division, major political actors in Haider al-Abadi’s new government have become a team, lifting the mood of the despondent Iraqi street. Iraq
Rising incomes mean many Iraqi men marry multiple wives Polygamy is growing among Iraqis as the men who indulge in it cite both progressive and Islamic justifications. Iraq
Egypt forgives Iraqi debt in exchange for oil During Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s visit to Cairo, the Egyptian government agreed to drop the Iraqi debt owed to Egypt, in exchange for oil shares that would come in handy in light of the energy crisis plaguing Egypt. Egypt
Instead of reform, Israeli candidates offer gimmicks The current Israeli election campaign is stocked with politicians visiting the Jerusalem market, populist declarations after the Tel Aviv terror attack and embarrassing video clips, but no proposals for reform or any consolidated agenda. Israel
Gaza water desalination plants cause severe health risks The lack of supervision over water desalination plants and the Israeli siege contribute to the contamination of drinking water available to Gaza’s residents. Palestine
Zarif defends walk with Kerry Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is under fire in Iran for his public walk in Geneva with US Secretary of State John Kerry. Iran
