After 500 years, Turkish coffee percolates in popularity On the brink of oblivion about a decade ago, Turkey’s ancient coffee culture is revived by a vibrant new generation of entrepreneurs and young consumers. Turkey
Will Saudi Arabia-Russia talks impact Syrian opposition? Moscow has allegedly opened up channels of communication between the Syrian regime and Saudi Arabia, and many are speculating whether this will cripple the Syrian opposition forces’ capabilities. Saudi Arabia
West Bank violence rises sharply Spiking rates of societal violence among Palestinians reflect harsh social, economic and political conditions, the spread of a culture that uses weapons, a slow judicial process and an absence of strict measures taken by authorities. Palestine
Iranian negotiators remain confident about nuclear deal At a conference in Tehran on the nuclear agreement with the P5+1, Iran's senior negotiators expressed their satisfaction with the deal and confidence in its implementation. Regional
Bibi, king of the Jews In opposing the Iranian nuclear deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees himself as the savior of the Jews, a perception that leads him to view the American Jewish community as within his jurisdiction, rather than as US citizens with an understandable loyalty to their country and president. Israel
Will Israel's force-feeding law turn doctors into political tools? The controversial force-feeding law passed in July will soon be tested by the case of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Allan as the Israel Medical Association stands firm against a practice it considers unethical. Palestine
'New' Suez Canal might not save Egypt from austerity measures Despite praise for Cairo's economic achievements and a positive economic forecast, financial hardships are forcing Egypt to consider cutting back as revenues continue to trickle in. Egypt
Syrian online satirical show gains popularity A group of Syrian opposition activists has made an online satirical show criticizing well-known figures of the Syrian political scene and mainly focusing on President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Liberman slams Netanyahu over Foreign Ministry failings Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely is practically ignored by the international community as Israel's Foreign Ministry keeps losing responsibilities to other ministries and its budget is slashed. Israel
US wins support from GCC, Asian allies for Iran nuclear deal Israel is outlier on nuclear deal; Rafsanjani tells Al-Monitor that Iran “does not inherently have any issues with Saudi Arabia”; Zarif proposes civil nuclear cooperation with Arab states; Syrian, Iranian and Russian officials meet in Tehran; Al-Monitor’s second annual Middle East lobbying investigation and cultural heritage series. Israel
Yemen war escalates The Yemeni people are paying a frightful toll as Saudi Arabia and its allies escalate the war in the country. Saudi Arabia
Nuke deal won't change Iran's approach to region In the aftermath of the JCPOA, Iran and other regional powers are seeking to engage, but will likely pursue policies to strengthen positions ahead of anticipated talks. Saudi Arabia
Egyptian-Ethiopian disputes stall Renaissance Dam Differences still abound between Egypt and Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo says could jeopardize its water resources. Egypt
Is Ankara headed toward all-out war with Turkey’s Kurds? Unless a deus ex machina like the United States enters into the equation between the Turkish government and the PKK, the clashes between the sides will continue. Iraq
Iran’s sagging housing market may face price shock With a nuclear deal in hand and the business environment improving, Iranian investors may begin piling cash into the country's ailing housing market — causing a price shock. Iran
The $55 billion cost of abandoning the Kurdish peace process The economic burden of the Kurdish conflict was one of the government’s key arguments when it launched the Kurdish peace process in 2013, but today, Ankara seems to be braving a hefty economic bill for the sake of its political interests. Turkey
