Egypt’s 'Indiana Jones' says new theory on King Tut’s tomb is wrong In an interview with Al-Monitor, famed Egyptologist and former Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass discusses the problems facing antiquities in Egypt and expresses skepticism over reports of an additional chamber in King Tut’s tomb. Egypt
Iran looks down under for new opportunities Eager to diversify its foreign policy, Iran under President Hassan Rouhani is maneuvering to reach out to Southeast Asian nations as well as Australia and New Zealand. Iran
Will Saudi block Iranians from hajj this year? Iran claims that Saudi officials have refused to issue visas for Iranian officials in order to conduct preparatory talks for Iranian pilgrims. Saudi Arabia
Nowhere to run: Palestine marathoners race on short track In Bethlehem’s fourth annual marathon, thousands of Palestinian and international runners competed on a half-marathon track in a stark illustration of the tight restrictions on Palestinian movement. Palestine
Is Turkey's lax oversight keeping PKK flush with funds? While the Turkish public is asked to mobilize against PKK terror, are the government’s efforts to curtail PKK financing and money laundering enough? Turkey
Military wipes its hands of Turkish politics Rumors and denials of a possible coup by the Turkish military are a symptom of the malignant political atmosphere in the country. Turkey
How one Palestinian with a camera rattled Israelis Ever since he taped the incident in which an IDF soldier shot an already injured Palestinian attacker in Hebron, Imad Abu Shamsiya has been receiving death threats from extreme-right activists. Palestine
Has the individual intifada peaked? Collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian security forces has reduced the scale of the individual intifada. Palestine
Latest scandal unlikely to rattle Netanyahu's coalition Despite Interior Minister Aryeh Deri being investigated for corruption, most observers believe the Israeli government is stable and unlikely to fall apart. Israel
Syrian Kurds proceed with federal structures despite Turkish threats Washington gets the Erdogan treatment; Syrian Kurds establish federal institutions; Hamas closes Iranian charity. Palestine
Turkish bodyguards take Washington by force After assaulting a deputy in Ecuador, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s bodyguards this time terrorize the media and protesters in Washington. Syria
Are Iranian hard-liners backing Trump? Iranian newspapers have returned after a two-week hiatus, with one hard-line editor offering up what seems to be an endorsement of US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Iran
Welcome to one of the most exotic islands in the world Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean known for its vast biodiversity, seeks to regain its strategic role to support the country’s economy. United Arab Emirates
How united is the GCC? While Gulf states may all be united under the Gulf Cooperation Council name, their individual policies on foreign intervention vary greatly. Saudi Arabia
How calling out corruption cost this top Egyptian official his job President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s decision to fire Hisham Geneina, the head of the state’s top auditing authority, following Geneina’s statements on mass corruption in the country has caused controversy. Egypt
Is Turkey headed for a housing bubble? Will Turkey’s housing sector, which leads the world in price increases, continue to attract foreign investors? Turkey