Turkey reluctantly welcomes Iran deal Observers say Iran deal will increase Tehran’s regional influence at a time when Ankara’s influence has waned. Turkey
IRGC supports nuclear framework deal The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has thrown his support behind Iran's nuclear negotiators and the framework deal announced on April 2, despite expressing doubts about the United States. Congress
Hungry bears threaten Turkey's villages Starving bears have been ravaging cemeteries in Turkey, digging up and devouring the dead and forcing villagers to place barbed wire around tombs. Turkey
Israel, Republicans clash with Obama over Iran deal Israeli officials reject the US assumption by which a deal with Iran would draw it closer to the West and assist in resolving other Middle East conflicts. Israel
Hamas election call could put UN initiative at risk Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas knows that if elections go on as stipulated in the reconciliation agreement, Hamas will become an official part of the Palestinian government, making it hard for him to win international support for his UN bid. Palestine
Egypt's ambassador to Yemen won't rule out ground troops In an interview with Al-Monitor, Egyptian Ambassador Youssef al-Sharqawy says that despite his country's participation in Operation Decisive Storm, it will not play a political role in resolving the conflict in Yemen. Gulf
What is behind UAE deportation of Lebanese nationals? Although UAE authorities maintain that the recent decision to deport dozens of Lebanese nationals was made over security concerns, others believe that political alignments may have played a role. Gulf
Iraqi army sets sights on Fallujah, Mosul The battle for Mosul will be complicated by the Kurdish factor and the city's remaining population. Iraq
Zarif defends nuclear framework deal While most officials and media in Iran have been supportive of the framework deal, some have expressed opposition. Iran
Turkish justice 'sledgehammered' The Sledgehammer coup case, which has ended with the acquittal of all defendants, inflicted enormous damage on Turkey’s justice system, judiciary and military, while failing to eliminate the danger of military coups. Turkey
Saudi Arabia embraces high-tech lobbying Saudi Arabia is tapping politically connected digital image-makers amid escalating tensions with Iran. Saudi Arabia
After Iran milestone, France nudges US on Palestinian UN bid The French are working on a Security Council resolution to support a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, hoping the Americans will be more favorable to UN mediation on the heels of a framework agreement for an Iran deal. Palestine
Russia eyes Iranian arms deal after Lausanne Russian officials are promoting the prospect of major arms sales to Iran after the Lausanne agreement, but any such deals appear to be an impossibility in the near term. Russia
Armenian singer Hayko Cepkin climbs to fame in Turkey The generation growing up in the “New Turkey” has found in a Turkish Armenian rock musician the minstrel of their existential malaise. Turkey
Is Netanyahu responsible for Iran deal? Instead of objecting to progress toward an Iranian nuclear deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should claim partial responsibility for removing or at least postponing the threat to Israel's security. Palestine
Iran framework agreement should boost regional diplomacy The P5+1 and Iran agree on "detailed political agreement" for nuclear deal; Saudi Arabia, Iran hasten Yemen’s collapse; Netanyahu, Erdogan weigh in on Yemen. Saudi Arabia
