Russia puts brakes on Turkey's truck traffic Moscow responds to Ankara’s threats to cancel natural gas and nuclear power station contracts by closing its borders to Turkish trucks. Syria
Turkey's shameful state of media freedom Following new police raids against Ipek Media, home to two newspapers and two TV news channels, Turkey's media suffers another blow. Turkey
Syria's 'holy war' The Russian Orthodox Church's description of Moscow's intervention in Syria as a "holy war" has created a buzz among Lebanese Christians. Lebanon
Self-immolation spreads in Middle East Self-immolation is becoming tragically more common in the Middle East, including Lebanon, where Syrian refugees are not the only ones setting themselves on fire in acts of desperation and despair. Lebanon
Hamas draws parallels with apartheid during South Africa visit Hamas' official visit to South Africa found support there and could open doors to relationships with other countries. Palestine
Why some Palestinian journalists struggle with when to put down the camera Palestinian journalists covering the current events in Jerusalem and the West Bank are torn between the professionalism their jobs require and their sense of nationalism, often conveying a subjective image of the news. Palestine
Even fatwas don't bring Egyptians out to vote Religion has become an easily wielded political tool in Egypt, and the country's highest religious institution is now using it to fight low voter turnout in the parliamentary elections. Egypt
Remembering Rabin's road On this year's anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination, Israelis should rethink their national priorities going forward. Palestine
Rouhani shifts gears on economy With the Iranian economy losing steam, the Rouhani administration is changing tack and adopting a new stimulus package as the nation waits impatiently for sanctions removal. Iran
Pentagon outlines its '3Rs' Islamic State strategy Democrats and Republicans alike have misgivings about the Pentagon's push for a greater US role in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
UNHCR head: It's time for Europe to get its act together Outgoing UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres says it's urgent to find a political solution to the war in Syria. Syria
Israeli settlers win tax battle In the battle over municipal funding and tax breaks, Likud ministers side with the powerful settler lobby. Israel
Some Iranians still dream of citizenship Up to a million people born to Iranian mothers and non-Iranian fathers continue to be deprived of Iranian citizenship. Iran
Iranian officials justify soldier deaths in Syria The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps addresses the number of Iranian soldiers' deaths recently in Syria. Lebanon
When it comes to foreign policy, will Erdogan resort to 'wily Oriental means'? The best-case scenario for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the worst-case scenario for Turkey, could be the failure of possible coalition talks after the snap elections. Syria
Merkel's 'indecent proposal' to Erdogan German Chancellor Angela Merkel's impromptu visit to Istanbul on behalf of the EU was highly criticized as a desperate gift to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as Turkey's elections draw close. Turkey
