Iran suspends Saudi pilgrimages over youth assault allegations After assault accusations of Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia, Iran has suspended umrah pilgrimages. Saudi Arabia
How will Bibi meddle in next US presidential race? Associates of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu estimate that casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, and subsequently Netanyahu, will soon decide whom to back in the US presidential race. Israel
Likud ministers sidelined from coalition negotiations With coalition negotiations advancing slowly, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is keeping his cards close to his chest and not disclosing his final goal even to senior Likud members. Israel
Turkish students' Jedi temple protest Students in Turkey are mobilizing anonymously by using clever online petition tools to advocate for the construction of Buddhist and Jedi temples on campus. Turkey
How does the AKP pick its candidates? The ruling Justice and Development Party's list of candidates for the Turkish parliament is based on simple criteria: loyalty and obedience to the president. Turkey
Khamenei: Nuclear deal could allow talks 'on other issues' Iran’s supreme leader hints at engagement with the West beyond the nuclear talks; al-Qaeda winning in Yemen; Turkey backs Iran framework agreement; questions about Morocco’s contribution to Clinton Foundation; lobbying series updates. Gulf
Public transport on Sabbath becomes political dispute Israeli Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz is catering to right-wing religious voters by opposing a bill allowing public transportation on Saturdays, ignoring the poor people who depend on such services. Israel
Muslim Brotherhood split on Saudi strikes in Yemen Sunni parties in Egypt support Saudi Arabia's airstrikes on Yemen, while the Muslim Brotherhood’s reaction remains ambiguous. Saudi Arabia
Is Hillary Clinton taking 'blood phosphate' money from Morocco? Critics of a $1 million Clinton Foundation gift see a ploy to build support for illegal exploitation of the "last colony in Africa." Morocco
Is Iran outmaneuvering Saudi Arabia in Yemen? Accusations that Iran is aiding Yemen's Houthis increased dramatically in 2009, in large part due to Saudi and Iranian media, though little evidence exists for direct Iranian influence. Saudi Arabia
Iran dispatches diplomats to tackle Yemen crisis Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has presented steps to be taken to end the crisis in Yemen as Iran's diplomats have been dispatched to the region. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's minorities join race for parliament An unprecedented number of minority candidates will run in Turkey’s June 7 general elections, promising representation for ethnic and religious communities after decades of parliamentary absence. Turkey
Syriacs commemorate their massacre While the world prepares to commemorate what has become known as the Armenian genocide, the Syriacs are still struggling for international recognition of the massacre of members of their community in 1915. Turkey
Congress gets its say on Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of April 13 Iran
France steps up involvement on Iran, Palestine France has been very proactive during talks on the Iranian framework agreement, and it intends to extend this proactive attitude to the Palestinian issue. Palestine
How will Turkey benefit from lifting of Iran sanctions? Turkey faced substantial losses with declining exports to Iran because of the embargo. Now that easing of sanctions is a possibility, however, political ambitions and contradictory positions may impede recovery. Turkey
