Will Congress pick Qatar over Israel? To the chagrin of Israel, lawmakers of both parties want the Obama administration to go through with jet sales to Gulf countries. Gulf
UN report: Iran executes nearly 1,000 people in 2015 Human rights activists say the nuclear deal and recent elections open a “window of opportunity” to pressure the Islamic Republic to improve its record on human rights. Iran
Will Palestinians declare independence in June 2017? After 50 years of occupation, Palestinians intend to declare the establishment of an independent state in June 2017. Palestine
Iranian banks told to get rid of excess properties Under severe economic pressure, despite the lifting of sanctions, the Central Bank of Iran is moving to get commercial banks to sell their excess properties. Iran
Have Israeli-Arab parties sided with Hezbollah? Israeli Arab parties Balad and Hadash condemned the decision by the GCC to label Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, which leaves many Israelis puzzled by this decision. Israel
Khamenei laments 'loss' of hard-line Assembly of Experts members At the last meeting of Iran’s outgoing Assembly of Experts, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei expressed regret for the departure of two hard-liners and defended the Guardian Council's disqualification of several Reformist candidates. Iran
Will there be peace in Yemen? Signs point to Saudi Arabia wanting out of its war in Yemen as Oman-mediated talks open with the Shiite Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia
Turkish military struggles to find new recruits The Turkish Armed Forces has to overcome serious structural problems, including inadequate recruitment, before switching from a conscription-based military to a fully professional force. Turkey
How a new website is helping Lebanese women avoid sexual harassment Activists in Lebanon have launched a new website to help women confronted by sexual harassment and bring discussion of it into the public sphere. Lebanon
Why some Shiites are refusing to join fight against Islamic State Shiite fighters will not participate in the upcoming Mosul battles, as they feel the sacrifices they have made so far are not appreciated by the Sunnis. Iraq
Will next round of Geneva talks determine Assad's fate? The upcoming Geneva talks are once again under the spotlight as Syria approaches the end of the cease-fire. Syria
Hamas drags feet on choosing between Iran, Saudi Arabia Since the Gulf Cooperation Council decided to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization, Hamas has remained silent and refrained from taking sides so as not to endanger its regional relations. Saudi Arabia
Why some IDF soldiers refuse to surrender their beards Ultra-Orthodox Jews and secular hipsters are unlikely allies in battling a new IDF regulation that requires them to shave their beards. Israel
Why some Palestinians believe that 'death is the solution, not the problem' Seeing no political will to improve their circumstances, some young Palestinians appear to see killing Israelis as the only way to end the occupation and their misery. Palestine
Syria talks set to resume UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said he planned to resume proximity talks between the Syrian government and the opposition on a political transition starting March 14. Syria
After inviting Israeli ambassador for dinner, Egyptian MP finds himself without a job Egyptian legislator Tawfiq Okasha, who has a habit of angering top Egyptian party leaders, angered them even more by meeting with the Israeli ambassador in Cairo and found himself dismissed from parliament. Egypt
