Obama: 'Iran’s program has not advanced' US allies puzzled by March deadline for consideration of Senate sanctions bill; Iran’s gesture to Saudi Arabia; Iran’s man in Beirut; Erdogan’s anti-Western pivot; Aleppo’s fuel shortage; Israel reconciling to Hamas? Saudi Arabia
Suicide rates on rise in Gaza Suicide cases are increasing in the Gaza Strip as a result of the wars waged by Israel that cause psychological, economic and social problems. Palestine
Congress to scrutinize Obama’s Islamic State strategy A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 9. Iraq
US-Saudi mark 70 years of rocky alliance Seventy years ago, FDR and Ibn Saud met on a cruiser to initiate an alliance that has persisted ever since. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani VP voices frustration with administration Iran's vice president for Women and Family Affairs has voiced concern over the lack of attention paid by the administration to women's issues. Iran
Aleppo's displaced find refuge in Kurdish regions The residents of Aleppo are fleeing the regime’s shelling toward the north, mainly to Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood, where the local council tries its best to meet their needs. Syria
Liberman suspends Israeli diplomats for Twitter criticism Three Israeli diplomats have been suspended after criticizing the government on their personal Twitter accounts, revealing the despair felt by many of their colleagues vis-à-vis Israel's current foreign policy. Israel
AKP's views on sexuality create uproar President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s dream of raising a "pious generation" fails to deal with taboo matters of sexuality. Turkey
Turkey saves cats from extinction After two decades of arduous work, a university research center in eastern Turkey has saved the precious Van cats from extinction. Turkey
Turkey accused of escalating violence in Egypt Egyptians suspect Turkey of allowing Muslim Brotherhood affiliates to provoke violence in their country. Egypt
US-Israel relationship at lowest point Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's acceptance of US House Speaker's invitation to speak is viewed by some as a direct affront to President Barack Obama's international domestic interests. Palestine
Who is Saudi activist Raif Badawi? The author talks about Saudi activist Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 1,000 lashes, as he has personally known him. Saudi Arabia
Syrian Kurdish journalists confront danger to report on war Kurdish journalists talked to Al-Monitor about their experiences on the battlefield in Syria's northeastern provinces. Syria
Report designates Tunisia first 'free' Arab country in decades Freedom House has ranked Tunisia as a "free" country, despite the political, economic and social challenges inherited from the dictatorship era. Tunisia
Hamas unwilling to jeopardize Palestinian reconciliation The Hamas-Fatah crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached a stalemate, with Hamas hesitant to take control of the Gaza Strip and risk being accused of undermining the Palestinian unity government. Palestine
Congress may re-examine special arms deals with Israel The US policy of giving Israel a Qualitative Military Edge policy over its neighbors has been called into question now that they are fighting on the same side against the Islamic State. Israel