Saudi Arabia’s Islamist-liberal divide The Saudi regime needs to tend to internal divisions in the kingdom and scale back its interventionism in the region to improve its prospects for long-term stability. Gulf
Congressional invite to MEK sparks furious backlash Former State Department officials are refusing to testify alongside Mujahedeen-e-Khalq leader Maryam Rajavi. Congress
Iran official warns water crisis could lead to mass migration The adviser for water, agricultural and environment to Iran’s vice president warns that if Iran doesn't cut its water exploitation in half, the country could see a mass exodus. Iran
Meshaal blocked major attack on Israel Head of Hamas' Political Bureau Khaled Meshaal in July prevented a mega tunnel attack of infiltration and hostage abduction, planned by the military branch, fearing an unprecedented Israeli military reaction. Palestine
US CEOs find crowded field in Iran A group of American executives found a warm welcome in Iran and plenty of company from other foreigners investigating post-sanctions business opportunities. Iran
Russia's recognition of Armenian genocide strains ties with Turkey Moscow’s acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide and President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Yerevan for the genocide commemorations shake Turkish-Russian ties. Turkey
Israel airlifts surrogates, babies from Nepal Israel is scrambling to bring home babies born to surrogate mothers in disaster-stricken Nepal, while its LGBT citizens are calling for surrogacy options in their own country. Israel
Northern Cyprus demands respect from Turkey The new Turkish Cypriot president, Mustafa Akinci, infuriated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as soon as he was elected by calling for a dignified relationship between Turkish Cypriots and Ankara. Turkey
Syrian regime continues destruction of Aleppo Airstrikes continue to pound Aleppo, and despite mounting casualties and public discontent, the regime does not seem likely to budge. Syria
PLO fails to address Yarmouk crisis The crisis in the Yarmouk refugee camp, which emerged after the Islamic State took control of the camp, reveals the weakness of the PLO, as the responsible party to handle the situation of Palestinian refugees around the world. Palestine
Will Iran nuclear deal lead to rapprochement with Cairo? The pending nuclear agreement with Iran could provide some much-needed balance for Egypt's shifting foreign policy in the region. Egypt
Is Pakistan pivoting away from Saudi Arabia? Pakistan is facing strong domestic opposition against providing support to the Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen, and its parliament came to a unanimous decision to stay neutral in the conflict, to the chagrin of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
After 15 years some Palestinian doctors now drive into Israel An Israeli decision permitting Palestinian doctors to drive across checkpoints and enter Israel comes as part of a series of Israeli moves to ease the travel restrictions. Palestine
Yemen dispute could hurt Lebanon Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah's verbal attack against Saudi Arabia and its regional allies in a televised speech March 27 about Operation Decisive Storm in Yemen could be part of a process leading to much greater tensions and even conflict in Lebanon. Saudi Arabia
Egypt struggles to cope with bird flu The current number of reported H5N1 cases in Egypt bode ill, given the government's less than stellar track record of dealing with previous outbreaks. Egypt
Netanyahu secures 67 members for coalition Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might have preferred to have Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog within his new coalition, but will have to make do for the moment with a right-wing government par excellence. Israel
