Will Turkey be dragged deeper into Syria? US military support for Kurdish forces pulled Turkey into Syria, but the IS factor will now determine whether or not Turkey gets bogged down. Syria
Upcoming hajj pilgrimage again inflames Saudi-Iran tensions Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued his strongest condemnation of Saudi Arabia yet in response to the stampede during last year’s hajj pilgrimage. Saudi Arabia
Controversial cable car project in Jerusalem pushed by Israeli mayor The Israeli mayor of Jerusalem is using an extensive Disney-like cable car project to improve his standing with the Likud Party, while the Palestinians publicly oppose his unilateral action. Palestine
Is Islamic Republic embracing Iran’s ancient past? The Islamic Republic has abandoned previously contentious attitudes toward Iran's cultural heritage, but it has much more work to do to protect sites. Iran
Has Israel's secular majority been abandoned by politicians? While Israel argues over train maintenance on the Sabbath, Yesh Atid head Yair Lapid is not leading the battle against religious coercion but avoiding clashes with the ultra-Orthodox for his personal political interests. Israel
Shiite alliance against Saudis grows tighter As the sectarian conflict intensifies, Shiite forces expand their cooperation against Saudi Arabia while Iraq plays a key role in this regard. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu unruffled by critical UN envoy report Neither criticism by UN Middle East envoy Nikolay Mladenov over settlement expansion nor a ruling by Israel's own Supreme Court against the construction of illegal outposts have ruffled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on portraying Israel as the victim of international persecution. Palestine
What it would cost Abbas to reconcile with Dahlan Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is being pressured by a group of Arab states to reconcile with former Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan and by Qatar not to do so. Qatar
Hamas looks to Algeria Algeria’s approval to open a Hamas office in the country may prompt regional and international pressure against it. Palestine
Internally displaced Syrians find shelter, but few friends, in Latakia Internally displaced Syrians share their journey from Idlib province, where they suffered under the opposition's siege, to Latakia, where they found refuge but also hostility. Syria
Cairo calls for austerity while ministers make money grab The Egyptian government has made more calls for austerity measures, but simultaneous proposals to raise government salaries have left citizens unmoved. Egypt
Why did Iraq ask Riyadh to change its ambassador? Baghdad has asked Riyadh to replace its ambassador over his interference in Iraq's internal affairs, stirring a new crisis between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Six years after it was first proposed, will Iraq form top policy council? Iraqi political leaders have reintroduced the idea of a Supreme Strategic Policy Council, and a law calling for its formation now has the support of most parliamentary blocs. Iraq
Did Rouhani just nip Tehran mayor’s presidential challenge in the bud? In Iran, leaks indicating massive corruption are surfacing one after another in an apparent factional fight ahead of the country’s May 2017 presidential election. Iran
Will Popular Mobilization Units participate in Iraqi elections? The Independent High Electoral Commission has prohibited PMU factions from participating in elections, although they might be able to participate through the political parties they are affiliated with. Iraq
Netanyahu continues to tune out voice of retired Israeli brass A long list of retired Israeli generals is consistently calling to end the occupation, but now that he's gotten what he wanted from them, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unmoved by their criticism. Israel