Star Wars: How the force awakens Islamist fears Seen by some as poison of Western cultural imperialism, Star Wars merchandise causes more controversy than the film in Turkey. Turkey
Saudi elections: Serious or just for show? Many observers criticize the recent Saudi election as a largely empty gesture, but others say it marks a first step toward societal change in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Zarif: Iran sees 'mostly negative signals' from US Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, in an interview with Al-Monitor, confirmed brief bilateral exchanges with Saudi counterparts and said numerous disagreements remain inside the international Syria support group on a political transition. Saudi Arabia
Is Saudi Arabia building an 'Islamic NATO?' Frustrated with weak efforts from the US-led international community, Saudi Arabia has proposed an Islamic coalition in the hopes of defeating terrorism. Gulf
Social media fans flames of sexual harassment claims against Israeli minister Minister of the Interior Silvan Shalom believes that without any official complaint to the police, accusations of sexual harassment will just fade away, even in the era of social media backing the harassed women. Israel
Will Turkey end up stuck between Kurds, Russia? Observers wonder how long Turkey can juggle a cold war with Russia and a heated conflict with the PKK before the latter two join forces. Syria
What suspending security coordination with Israel would mean for the PLO PLO Executive Committee member Hanna Amireh predicts that the Palestinian National Council will not be able to convene in the future if the Palestinian leadership decides to suspend security cooperation with Israel. Palestine
Why Saudi Arabia needs to trust its man on Iran Considered an Iran expert in Saudi foreign policy circles, Minister Adel al-Turaifi has the background to help mend ties with Tehran; yet, he has so far been either unable or unwilling to resist pressure to take steps to achieve the exact opposite. Saudi Arabia
Ongoing war silences Yemeni indie radio station Tayramana FM, a product of the Arab Spring, is on indefinite hold, waiting for an end to the current war so it can re-establish the community it had built. Gulf
How kindergartens have become fertile recruiting ground for Hamas, Fatah The Palestinian Education Ministry says there's no law against indoctrinating impressionable children. Palestine
How sports programs let Syrian kids be kids Several sports training centers have opened in Aleppo and Idlib to engage children in sports in an attempt to somewhat normalize their lives. Syria
Gazan poet faces death sentence in Saudi Arabia A Saudi court has sentenced Palestinian poet Ashraf Fayadh to death on charges of spreading atheism and insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's cash for votes scandal Egypt’s parliamentary elections are tainted by allegations that voters were paid to cast ballots for certain candidates. Egypt
How one Iranian TV show is breaking censorship boundaries Sold in supermarkets, the private sector-produced "Shahrzad" TV series is turning out to be a serious rival of state-sponsored productions. Iran
Will Iran end the death penalty for drug smuggling? Some members of Iran's parliament are launching a bill to eliminate the death penalty in nonviolent drug smuggling cases, though the plan is expected to face staunch opposition. Iran
Israeli, Palestinian officials score a goal on FIFA agreement While Israel has been allowing increased movement of Palestinian soccer players and teams and their opponents, Palestinian officials say more improvements need to be made. Palestine
