Iranian Cannes-troversy continues Asghar Farhadi's latest film has been the subject of a number of controversies since winning two awards at the Cannes Film Festival. By Arash Karami
EU eyes return as Iran’s first trade partner With the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, Iran and the European Union can now restore their commercial ties — but not without bumps in the road. By Maysam Bizaer
Syria’s Qamishli a window onto Turkish-Kurdish conflict across border For months, residents of a northern Syrian city have watched helplessly as their neighbors and fellow Kurds battle Turkish forces across the border. By Justin Higginbottom
When books become issue of Israeli populism Instead of protecting writers, Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev chooses to advocate cheap book prices. By Nurit Canetti
Peshmerga gaining ground en route to Mosul In a massive two-day assault on Islamic State militants southeast of Mosul, peshmerga forces regained nine villages and killed 140 IS fighters. By Shelly Kittleson
How a US prosecutor is jolting Turkish markets US prosecutor Preet Bharara’s probe into the dealings of a Turkish-Iranian businessman has both political and financial repercussions in Turkey. By Kerim Karakaya
How Turkey's spies found new ways to escape oversight Even as rumors continue as to who will replace Hakan Fidan, Turkey's national intelligence chief, the Turkish spy has found ways to expand his political power. By Pinar Tremblay
Can Liberman guarantee stability for Netanyahu's coalition? The expansion of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition should have made things a little easier for him, but Netanyahu’s paranoia is now making him wary of Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
IDF warns of escalating pressure in Gaza IDF officers are concerned that poverty, unemployment and an internal power struggle within Hamas might push the movement into a new military conflict with Israel. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
How will Baghdad plan for liberated Fallujah? The Iraqi government needs to plan for the post-liberation phase in Fallujah in order to prevent the city's seizure by terrorist organizations. By Ali Mamouri
Ancient Gaza monastery gets second life as children’s library The Khodr Monastery, which dates back to the Byzantine period, is being restored into a children’s library. By Entsar Abu Jahal