One woman's journey from prisoner to mayor Diyarbakir Mayor Gultan Kisanak is among thousands of activists who served time in Diyarbakir prison after the coup in 1980, and like many she was tortured for refusing to renounce her Kurdish identity. Turkey
Lebanese women feel inner beauty not enough Beauty standards in Lebanon have increased pressure on women and men alike, from all ages, to undergo cosmetic surgeries and other forms of enhancement. Lebanon
Belly dancer runs for Egyptian parliament seat Egyptian belly dancer Sama El Masry is an official candidate in the upcoming parliamentary elections, stirring outrage among conservative Egyptians who find her art offensive. Egypt
Hamas expands international outreach Recent meetings between Hamas and international figures suggest that ties are deepening between the movement and Western diplomats, who are quietly meeting to discuss Gaza’s future, the reconciliation with Fatah and a proposed truce with Israel. Palestine
On Iran deal, Republicans cut off their nose to spite their face A letter written by 47 Republican senators to the Iranian government highlights the deepening divide in US Congress on the pending Iran nuclear agreement. Congress
Lawmakers see Iran's rise as key concern in fight against IS Republicans focus on Tehran in first hearing since Tikrit offensive. Iraq
Will Sistani be able to control popular mobilization forces? Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has distanced himself from politics, while stressing the need for the Iraqi government to build a strong state in which all sects feel equal. Iraq
Rafsanjani supporters upbeat despite another election defeat Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani suffers another political defeat, though his supporters remain upbeat. Iran
Turkey's official Islamic body extends influence abroad Turkey’s giant Directorate of Religious Affairs, which runs the country’s 85,000 mosques and employs 122,000 people, has assumed an increasingly active role in the government’s foreign policy. Turkey
Russia indicates it might take anti-IS action in Libya Russia — worried about the Islamic State — indicates that if the UN approves a naval blockade against Islamist militants in Libya, the Russian navy could participate. Russia
Turkey's soaring sculptress Turkish Jewish sculptor Nadia Arditti has emerged as one of Turkey’s leading artistic voices abroad since she returned home after pogroms forced her family to flee the country in the 1950s. Turkey
Israel should be wary of Hamas' truce proposal The dire situation in Gaza has apparently prompted Hamas' political leaders to offer Israel a long-term cease-fire, but the dominance of the movement's military wing casts doubt on such a truce holding. Palestine
Hana Salah on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Hana Salah shares her thoughts on journalism. Palestine
Israel tightens control on Erez crossing The Israeli authorities have arrested at the Erez crossing Palestinian and Israeli merchants who were accused of smuggling prohibited goods to the resistance in Gaza, which is said to be using these materials to rebuild the tunnels destroyed during the war in summer 2014. Palestine
How Iranian women are using Sharia to their benefit Given the important role that religion plays in Iran, Iranian women are working within the system to gain rights and achieve equality. Iran
Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia inch toward resolving Nile dam crisis During the closed negotiations held in Khartoum, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia agreed on a plan to find technical solutions to the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Egypt fears threatens its share of the Nile. Egypt
