What did Saudi Embassy attackers want? Some in Iran suspect the "rogue elements" who attacked Saudi Arabia's embassy intended to sabotage the administration's foreign policy goals of improving relations with foreign countries post-nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia
How do large ultra-Orthodox families afford so many weddings? Charitable loan societies allow the ultra-Orthodox to marry off their numerous children by avoiding expensive bank loans. Israel
Was Syria intervention worth it for Russia? While Moscow's military involvement in the Syria crisis has led to an increasingly important role for Russia in regional and global politics, critics wonder whether or not the costs will outweigh the benefits. Syria
Has Turkey’s regional power grab come to an end? Turkey is forfeiting its claims for regional supremacy by joining the Saudi-led Sunni alliance and making friendly overtures toward Israel. Saudi Arabia
Brother of executed Saudi cleric says Nimr is 'martyr against injustice' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Mohammed al-Nimr, the brother of the Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, who was executed by Saudi Arabia, speaks about his family’s reaction, responses inside and outside Saudi Arabia and the fate of his brother’s body. Gulf
Netanyahu prepares alibi for PA collapse Instead of doing all that he can to prevent the collapse of the Palestinian Authority, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's passivity reveals his real strategy. Israel
Has Ankara abandoned Iraq’s Turkmens? Shiite Turkmens of Iraq, feeling that Turkey has failed them, are fighting with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units. Iraq
What are the real goals of Riyadh’s new Islamic coalition? The Saudi-led Islamic coalition was not formed to only combat IS, but also to determine the future of Sunni areas in the conflict areas in Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia
What factors influence Palestinian pollsters? Several question marks hover around Palestinian polling centers, some of which are funded by foreign parties with certain political agendas. Palestine
Iraqis see fake Syrian passport as golden ticket to Europe Iraqis are buying forged Syrian passports to try to increase their chances of winning asylum in European countries. Iraq
Can Libya’s new government balance international, domestic duties? Now that the UN and the Tobruk-based government of Libya have endorsed a new agreement to form a united government, the latter must juggle conflicting priorities both inside and outside the war-torn country. Libya
Netanyahu's concern for fate of PA 'too little, too late' Over the years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has weakened the status of the Palestinian Authority and of President Mahmoud Abbas with a variety of means — but is he now suddenly concerned that the PA might collapse? Palestine
Why isn't IDF razing homes of Jewish terrorists? Family members of Jewish terrorists can rest assured that the Israeli government won't subject them to the same policy of demolitions as punishment it uses against Palestinians. Palestine
Hard-liners take aim at Khomeini's grandson Hard-liners' attacks against the grandson of the Islamic Republic's founder may prove futile in their effort to derail his candidacy for the Assembly of Experts. Iran
Congress sets up first showdown of the year over Iran deal The Obama administration says it "strongly opposes" sanctions bill scheduled for an initial vote Jan. 7. Congress
Why one Egyptian MP wants to send his colleagues back to school MP Mohammed Anwar Sadat has called for the establishment of an academy to educate new legislators in a variety of fields, but not everyone is pleased with the proposal. Egypt
