This woman may be biggest opposition to Erdogan Meral Aksener, a rare female heavyweight in Turkish politics, may be the long-awaited leader to thwart Erdogan’s authoritarian ambitions. Turkey
US seizure of Iranian assets may open old wounds One month after the US Supreme Court’s ruling that frozen Iranian assets can be used to compensate families of victims of a 1983 bombing, the Rouhani administration is under mounting pressure to take action. Iran
Will Israel move from occupation to annexation? Palestinian officials fear that the appointment of hawkish Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman as defense minister signals an Israeli policy leap from occupation of Palestinian territories toward annexation policies. Palestine
Why Hamas and Israel both oppose French peace initiative Few seem hopeful that France's upcoming peace talks will actually result in peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Palestine
Ultra-Orthodox slaughterhouse faces ax Ultra-Orthodox butcher Yoel Kraus claims that because he has no ID card and avoids contact with the Israeli authorities as an anti-Zionist, the police are trying to close down the ancient traditional slaughterhouse he operates and imprison him for tax evasion. Israel
New defense minister's death penalty demand would put Israelis at risk The demand by incoming Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman to impose the death penalty for terrorism convictions could destroy Israeli-Palestinian security cooperation and ignite a new intifada. Palestine
Why an old-fashioned novel is trending among Turkey's youth A romantic Turkish novel first published in 1943 has finally been translated into English this month after becoming a social media sensation, coinciding with the third anniversary of the Gezi Park protests that shook Turkey and its ruling party. Turkey
US, Kurds to clear path toward Raqqa, with or without Turkey Because of Turkey's objections to Kurdish involvement, operational plans against the Islamic State keep changing. Syria
Have Israelis grown accustomed to corrupt politicians? Honesty and integrity are passé in Israel, where citizens have gotten used to politicians being corrupt. Palestine
Syrian widows chart course out of poverty at Aleppo training center Syrian women who have lost their husbands in the ongoing war are taking advantage of opportunities at Aleppo's Balqis Center to learn work and literacy skills. Syria
Does Obama administration oppose key Iran bill? Congress blows up over the administration's refusal to endorse renewal of the expiring Iran Sanctions Act. Iran
Expect repercussions from deadly Latakia attacks All players in the Syrian war are scrutinizing the recent bloody assaults on Syrian civilians and the range of results that are likely. Syria
US allies mobilize on two fronts against IS, but Sunnis wary US-backed Iraqi forces have encircled Fallujah, and mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces have advanced on villages north of Raqqa, but Sunni residents are terrified of retribution by Kurdish and Shiite local forces preparing to liberate those cities from the Islamic State. Iraq
Why is Egypt calling on Israel to release Marwan al-Barghouti? Sentenced to five life terms plus 40 additional years in an Israeli prison, jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti is now gaining supporters calling for his release, including Cairo. Palestine
Uproar over police brutality against Israeli Arab Israeli passers-by documented border police officers beating an Israeli-Arab youth working in a Tel Aviv grocery store. Israel
Tehran accuses Israel of holding four Iranians who disappeared 34 years ago Iran's defense minister said that Israel is holding prisoner the four Iranians who were kidnapped in Lebanon in 1982. Israel
