How to get Iran's drifting economy back on track Following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s call for a "command headquarters" for the economy in the post-sanctions era, there is increasing debate in Iran about the need for clear guidance of the economy. Iran
Is this Palestine's Arab Spring? As the wide unrest continues in Palestine, many wonder if this uprising could be a belated Palestinian Arab Spring that will bring about change in the entire region. Palestine
Arab-Kurd conflict heats up after Tuz Khormato incidents Factions in Iraq seem more worried about staking claims to territory and power than in fighting the Islamic State, and the result could be a prolonged civil war. Iraq
Turkey sticks its neck out again, this time in Iraq Ankara’s unusually loud public acknowledgement of sending reinforcement soldiers into Iraq shows Turkey hopes to establish its own territory there. Iraq
Is Gollum good? Turkish judge consults 'TV expert' to find out A simple meme posted over social media has spawned an official Turkish investigation into the legendary fictional character "Gollum" from "The Lord of the Rings." Turkey
Yossi Sarid, voice of Israel's left, leaves behind unfinished business Former Meretz leader and Minister Yossi Sarid, who passed away Dec. 4, was an honest politician who dared to tell the truth, even in tough times for the Israeli peace camp. Israel
Palestinian peace activist speaks out on son's arrest Palestinian peace activist Ziad Abed Sabateen recounts how his son was arrested by IDF soldiers in the middle of the night. Palestine
What it takes to smuggle information out of IS strongholds in Syria Media activists in Deir ez-Zor face daily death threats by the Islamic State, but the danger is not stopping many of them from documenting what is happening in the Syrian province. Syria
US says it's 'game over' for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations According to a senior Obama administration official, Israeli-Palestinian negotiations are definitely over for the next 14 months, leaving the two parties to contemplate a binational state and war. Palestine
Turkey’s red line in Syria under attack Syrian military advances, backed by Russia, threaten Turkmen and Jabhat al-Nusra forces along the border with Turkey; Russia and Israel understand each other on Syria; Israel’s’ "small joy" in clash with EU over settlements. Israel
Congress focuses on Islamic State threat from Europe A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Dec. 7. Iraq
Continued conflict clogging up Renaissance Dam negotiations Egypt may have procrastinated itself into a corner as it passively awaits a solution to concerns about how the already-underway Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will affect its water supply. Egypt
Why is the dollar surging in Iran? In Iran, the dollar rate is rising, potentially harming Rouhani and his allies ahead of crucial elections. Can, and will, Rouhani and the Central Bank move in to counter this surge? Iran
Turkey takes a hit from the Russian hammer Moscow is bringing its hammer down on Ankara following Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane late last month, crushing Erdogan’s aspirations for autonomy from the West in foreign and security policy. Turkey
How to improve Egypt's media law Abdel Latif El-Menawy, the former head of Egyptian state TV who now heads Al Ghad Al Arabi satellite TV, explained in an interview with Al-Monitor why the Egyptian media has deviated from its role, and what the field needs now. Egypt
Will Turkey be able to replace Russian gas with Qatari imports? Although Qatar cannot replace Russian gas for Turkey, it is promising to see that Ankara is exploring new strategies for diversifying its long‐term energy supply. Qatar