Women win big in Iran's parliamentary elections The number of women in Iran's next parliament is set to double compared to the incumbent parliament. Iran
Why Saudis may take on Iraq’s Shiite militias Saudi Arabia sees Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units, formed from various Shiite militias to fight the Islamic State, as a dangerous long-term foe for the Sunni Islamic world. Saudi Arabia
Congress goes after Assad for war crimes A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 29. Syria
Is Turkey 'on the hook' regarding Syria cease-fire? US-Russia agreement on Syria is a possible breakthrough in peace efforts; Erdogan calls US alliance with Syrian Kurds a “Great Lie.” Syria
White House: Russia ‘on the hook’ for Syria truce The White House said Russia is ‘on the hook’ for the success of the partial Syria truce set to start Feb. 27, and cautioned that the truce is likely to take time to take hold, and will face setbacks. Syria
Saudis increasingly frustrated with Lebanon The Saudis, who aspire to expand their status in the Gulf, are growing ever more frustrated with Lebanon. Saudi Arabia
Voters come out in force as Iran holds key elections Iranians line up outside polling stations to cast their ballots in the country’s key parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections. Algeria
Iran's Reformists keep their eyes on the prize Despite pressures from the Guardian Council and fierce competition with Principlists, Iranian Reformists appear ever focused on their goals in the country’s parliamentary elections. Iran
Meet the 25-year old cleric who may help choose Iran's next supreme leader In an interview with Al-Monitor, the youngest candidate for the Assembly of Experts talks about his motivations for running — and what matters most to him. Iran
Will the Democratic Republic of Congo be Egypt's newest ally in dam disputes? Cairo says it will help the Democratic Republic of Congo out with its Inga Dam hydroelectric project on the Congo River, while the Nile upstream country indicates that it supports Egypt in its dispute with Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Why did Riyadh cancel $4 billion in aid to Lebanon? Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah provide different reasons for the cancellation of billions of dollars in aid that the Gulf state had pledged to Lebanon, until it decided otherwise on Feb. 19. Gulf
After Syria intervention flop, what’s next for Erdogan? Ankara’s latest statements show it has dropped the idea of sending regular troops to Syria, yet it is poised for new ventures to avoid a total exclusion from the Syrian equation. Syria
Aleppo residents displaced in their own country The regime forces’ offensives and Russian airstrikes forced 200,000 to flee the northern Aleppo countryside, while civil society organizations seem unable to meet their needs. Syria
Russia keeps Turkish trucks parked Russia by not renewing the Road Transport Accord that expired Feb. 1 delivered a significant blow to Turkish exports. Gulf
Turks kick around Erdogan conspiracy When the pro-government media discovers a political conspiracy in a soccer game, it is not time to be amused, but to be worried. Turkey
What's next for Hamas? After the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan formally dissociated itself from the mother organization in Egypt, eyes are turning to Hamas for its reaction. Palestine
