US, Iran struggle to speed up nuclear deal US and Iranian negotiators worked intensively all week on a document to try to speed up a nuclear accord, but are still finding difficulties. Iran
Al-Qaeda's Paris attack not the first to target cartoonists Al-Qaeda's attack on Charlie Hebdo in Paris is not the group's first targeting of European cartoonists, as the group had planned to attack the offices of a Danish newspaper in 2009. Pan Arab
Obama vows to veto Iran sanctions as Zarif sees Kerry Strong words from US President Obama in support of negotiations instead of sanctions accompanied the second meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Iran
Congress to vote on toned-down Iran sanctions bill Senate bill doesn’t mandate what a nuclear deal should look like, undercutting sanctions opponents. Congress
Iran paper under fire for Charlie Hebdo cover An Iranian newspaper faces criticism for publishing a picture of actor George Clooney and a headline supporting French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Iran
Charlie Hebdo's humor upsets Turkish Islamists Turks have taken to social media to criticize or applaud their government's reaction to the Charlie Hebdo attacks in Paris, though some individuals have threatened a Turkish newspaper with violence after its publication of Charlie Hebdo cartoons. Turkey
Turkish-Israeli ties worse than ever President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s irritation over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's presence at the Paris rally has contributed to rekindled tensions between Turkey and Israel. Israel
How Sufism could balance Salafism The historical background of Sufism in the Islamic world allows the establishment of political and religious reforms in this part of the world. Iraq
PA official: talks with Israel lead nowhere Palestinians have given up on negotiating directly with Israel, so they are developing other options like a UN resolution and multilateral talks. Palestine
Israeli-Arabs open to dialogue with Labor Party Israeli Arabs are disappointed by the Arab parties and feel that only a large party would be able to bring about a change in their socio-economic situation, hence the Labor Party must take up this challenge and renew a dialogue with them. Israel
Israeli students skip class to end teacher dispute Israeli students' nationwide strike over the cancelation of extramural activities quickly resolved a dispute between teachers and education administrators and earned them a great deal of praise. Israel
Nasrallah: 'The game is over' In an interview with pan-Arab news channel Al-Mayadeen, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah talked about sensitive regional issues, mainly the Syrian crisis, saying that "the game is over" there with the failure of hostile plans. Palestine
Egyptian women take to social media to expose harassers With Egyptian police turning a blind eye to incidents of sexual harassment, women are taking the initiative to expose sexual harassers online. Egypt
Palestinians to give UNSC bid another shot The Arab League has backed Palestinian calls for another attempt at the UN Security Council, with the Palestinians confident they can secure the needed votes after the changeover of seats. Palestine
Negotiators: 'Time cannot be wasted' at Iran nuclear talks US and Iranian negotiators met in Geneva to discuss a nuclear deal, though a new Republican-led US Congress might complicate a potential deal domestically. Iran
Palestinians, Libya, Qatar go on lobbying binge Some of last year’s biggest losers on Capitol Hill are spending big to avoid a repeat in 2015. Palestine
