Zarif: some in Iran don’t want sanctions to end Iran’s foreign minister has accused groups inside and outside the country of opposing a nuclear deal. Iran
Why Israeli cartoonists don't draw Muhammad The massacre at the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo hasn’t changed the practice of Israeli cartoonists of refraining from insulting Islam, picking political targets instead. Israel
Sephardic candidates face real discrimination in elections Ahead of the elections, the Israeli political system still shies away from confronting the phenomenon of ''ethnic voting,'' where Sephardic candidates receive less support than those of European candidates. Israel
Netanyahu's household expenses become campaign issue The media's preoccupation with funds from bottle deposits allegedly pocketed by the prime minister's wife draws attention away from the real diplomatic issues, and lets Bibi off the hook. Israel
'Messengers of God' multiply amidst Iraqi chaos The emergence of people claiming to be the Shiites’ awaited Imam Mahdi or his messengers is widespread in Iraqi society, though some contend it is intended to eliminate the Shiite religious authorities. Iraq
What turned Erdogan against the West? The Turkish ruling party’s fast-rising anti-Western rhetoric may be a reaction to Western “meddling in our domestic affairs” rather than opposition to the West’s “imperialist” foreign policy. Turkey
Al-Azhar, Salafist group spar over banking interest The Salafist Call in Egypt issued a fatwa prohibiting banking interest in a move that could push Egyptians to either keep their money at home or in Islamic banks. Egypt
Tough choices ahead for US-Saudi relationship The longstanding relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is in need of review, for Saudi human rights abuses and its domestic politics, for instance, are increasingly talked about topics by Americans and the world. Saudi Arabia
Ankara turns wary eye on Greece's new defense minister Greece's new Defense Minister Kammenos led the Turkish and Greek navies and air forces into an unfriendly confrontation on Jan. 30, in what Ankara hopes was a one-time provocation. Turkey
Inside one of Hamas' youth training camps Hamas’ military wing has started organizing youth camps across Gaza to train the younger generation to defend itself and fight the occupation, some say promoting a culture of violence among the youth. Palestine
Latest attack in Lebanon sends message on IS endgame Clues about the militants’ ultimate designs for the country can be found in the most recent attack by insurgents on the Lebanese border. Lebanon
Beating exposes brutal realities for Turkey's street children Turkey has made tremendous progress in lowing child mortality, but poverty leaves Kurdish and Syrian refugee children vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse. Turkey
Barzani joins front as peshmerga approach Mosul Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, has decided to stay close to the battlefield around Mosul Dam in northern Iraq to direct operations and encourage peshmerga fighters. Iraq
Captured pilot serious challenge for Jordan's king As negotiations with the Islamic State for a prisoner swap for Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh falter, the Jordanian public is directing its anger against the kingdom’s decision to participate in the anti-IS coalition. Jordan
Fatah power struggle leads to missing paychecks in Gaza A series of internal conflicts in Fatah has been deepened by a decision to withhold the salaries of Gaza-based security officers said to be supporters of Mohammed Dahlan, President Mahmoud Abbas' chief rival. Palestine
Israel offers to mediate talks between Ukraine, Russia Israel's Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman believes his country is uniquely positioned to negotiate with Russia and Ukraine. Israel