Khamenei says US preventing tangible results from nuclear deal Much of the Iranian media believe that the trip of Italy’s prime minister to the country is the first step toward better relations with Europe, but that the United States is still holding Iran back. By Arash Karami
Is Israel forming an alliance with Egypt and Saudi Arabia? Israel estimates that strengthening Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and maintaining a dialogue with Saudi Arabia are key elements for the region's stability. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran revs up for auto revolution The ownership structure of the Iranian auto market is set to radically change over the coming year as international carmakers make their entry. By Alireza Ramezani
Nationalist party may hold key to Turkey's political future A possible tectonic shift in Turkish politics may come via the MHP's inner-party struggle. By Mustafa Akyol
Erdogan courts King Salman as new BFF Even if Saudi King Salman Abdul-Aziz Al Saud fails to broker a rapprochement between Egypt and Turkey, he still shares many commonalities with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, not least their irritation with the US leadership. By Cengiz Candar
Is Hamas open to direct negotiations with Israel? Hamas leaders say the movement is not against negotiating directly with Israel, but is wary given Israel's failure to abide by its previous agreements with the Palestinians. By Moath al-Amoudi
Hamas, PA face off on financial front Palestinian individuals and institutions are complaining about procedures implemented by the Palestinian Authority to monitor exchange office and bank transactions suspected of aiding Hamas. By Adnan Abu Amer
Battle lines shift in northern Syria Eyes are focused on the Syrian-Turkish border after the FSA factions and Syrian Democratic Forces launched their offensives, which points at an imminent final and decisive offensive against IS. By Kamal Sheikho
Who is to blame for Beirut’s airport security gap? The Lebanese government rift and lack of a clear and effective policy for dealing with security gaps at the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut may lead international and Arab airlines to suspend their flights to Lebanon. By Sami Nader
How Netanyahu keeps sidelining the Knesset In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp leader Merav Michaeli argues that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's consistent attempts to bypass the Knesset are a dangerous game. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
When is a terrorist a terrorist? The Israeli public and its leaders are trapped in their thinking about who is a terrorist, and that bodes ill for peace. By Shlomi Eldar
Will Congress rein in US support for Syrian Kurds? Turkey's concerns are starting to gain traction on Capitol Hill. By Julian Pecquet
Fragile Syria cease-fire under strain The United States and Russia are trying to salvage an increasingly fragile Syria cease-fire. By Laura Rozen
Will Egyptian schools strip religion from curriculum? Egyptian parliamentarian Nadia Henry suggests replacing separate Muslim and Christian religious classes in public schools with one course on values that would combine teachings from both the Quran and the Bible. By George Mikhail
Former Iran negotiator says he would not have signed nuclear deal As obstacles from the remaining US sanctions continue to impede European business with Iran, domestic critics have argued the nuclear deal has had no benefits. By Arash Karami
What Hollande’s visit means for Lebanon French President Francois Hollande is expected to visit Lebanon on April 16 as a part of a tour in the Middle East, although the trip will not achieve a breakthrough in the presidential crisis. By Jean Aziz (Lebanon Pulse)