Are Reformists, Rouhani heading for split? After supporting Hassan Rouhani in the presidential elections, Reformists expect Rouhani to repay them with support in the parliamentary elections, but that may not be the case. Iran
Lebanese turn to faith to break political stalemate The statue of Portugal's Our Lady Fatima will visit several regions in Lebanon in a convoy of Christian leaders, many of whom believe that the tour will help Lebanon elect a president. Lebanon
Is Israel's culture minister drunk with power? Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev is fond of reminding artists and cultural institutions that she has the power to determine their fate, including withholding funds if they fail to meet her standards of patriotism. Israel
Gaza soccer players work hard for little pay Professional Palestinian soccer players, especially those in the Gaza Strip, are bound by restrictive contracts and low pay. Palestine
The Islamic State's scorched earth policy in Kobani Since the Islamic State was defeated in Kobani in January, the group has been setting ablaze the crops of the residents there. Syria
Arabs divided on visiting Jerusalem Political and religious authorities in Palestine continue to disagree on visits by Arabs and Muslims from around the world to Jerusalem, split between seeing such trips as defiant support of Palestine and as normalizing relations with Israel. Palestine
Congress seeks to kill Obama's counterterrorism fund The Senate spending panel approved legislation to defund the president's signature proposal. Congress
Iran talks may go into overtime Negotiators are focused on the June 30 target for reaching a final Iran nuclear deal, a US official said June 10, but brinksmanship may push Iran talks past the deadline as each side waits to see if the other will make concessions. Iran
US-Russia relations still tense after Kerry's visit US Secretary of State John Kerry's recent visit to Moscow was indicative of the US policy of "selective engagement" with Russia. Russia
Is Iran on the right track to managing inflation? To make the economy stable and predictable, the government needs to put an end to its borrowing habit and cut spending in a significant way, economists believe. Iran
Iran court upholds sentence of Rafsanjani's son An appellate court has upheld the corruption case against Mehdi Hashemi, son of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani. Iran
Will AKP's loss benefit Israel? Many in Israel reveled over the AKP's loss in the parliamentarian elections, but their defeat might actually harm the normalization process between the two countries. Israel
Netanyahu trapped by powerful Likud central party Media accusations against newly elected Knesset member Oren Hazan did not prompt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sanction him, as he needs Hazan's support in the upcoming Likud Party central committee meeting. Israel
Eyes return to Turkish military after elections The turbulence in the wake of the recent elections may offer the Turkish military opportunities to return to politics — and even if a serious deadlock ensues, the situation still may work in the military's favor. Turkey
Gaza's ice cream industry melts Although ice cream is popular among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, local ice cream shops struggle to sustain themselves under Israel's blockade and Hamas' law on imported goods. Palestine
Artists help Syrian refugee women tell their stories Several artists have developed projects to highlight the lives of Syrian women in refugee camps, moving beyond the image of victimhood, as they are largely portrayed in the media. Lebanon
