US, Russia spar over terms to restore Syria cease-fire Diplomats held a contentious meeting in an attempt to agree on bold measures to try to salvage a US-Russia cease-fire deal in Syria after it collapsed, but failed to reach agreement. Syria
Why are young Iranian couples having trouble getting pregnant? Faced with dropping birth rates and rising infertility, the Iranian government is moving to boost funding for infertility treatments. Iran
'New Turkey' finds founding myth in failed coup The political narrative about the failed July 15 coup attempt is entering Turkey’s textbooks as the core of a new shape of Turkish nationalism. Turkey
Environment official says Iran looking for more international cooperation US opposition to lending to Iran by multinational organizations has undercut Tehran's ability to face growing environmental challenges, the deputy head of Iran's Department of Environment says. United States
Egyptians ponder: How much military control is too much? Some Egyptians fear the military’s involvement in the Supply Ministry will lead to wider military control, while others think it is the solution to corruption. Egypt
Abadi orders weapons caches out of Baghdad in wake of deadly blast In the wake of a horrific explosion at a weapons cache site that killed four people, Iraq's prime minister has ordered that arms depots be removed from residential areas in Baghdad and other cities. Iraq
Decline of higher education in Iraq continues Despite several recent achievements, Iraq's universities still suffer from poor management, corruption and sectarianism. Iraq
Will 1967 Palestinian refugees ever return? The Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty may have been good for the two parties, but it has also been used to prevent Palestinians displaced in 1967 from returning to their homes. Palestine
Israeli right no longer bothered by Obama Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's last meeting with US President Barack Obama marked his success at stalling American efforts at peace. Israel
Rafsanjani takes aim at Iranian military spending amid furor Remarks by Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on the benefits of less military spending have stirred controversy in Iran. Iran
How this 14-year-old Syrian refugee is fighting to end child marriage Following in the footsteps of her role model Malala Yousafzai, Omaima Hoshan, a 14-year-old living in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp, is raising awareness about the physical and psychological risks child marriage poses to young girls. Jordan
Palestinian election delay leaves $8 million in limbo A Palestinian court's decision to postpone local voting creates a financial quandary. Palestine
How credible are Egypt’s online polls? Opinion-takers employ both old and new technology to get inside the public’s collective head, but it’s hard to know if the results can be trusted. Egypt
Senate tacitly endorses US role in Yemen war The upper chamber overwhelmingly defeated a bill to block US arms sales to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Why is Egypt's army now in the baby formula business? While Egypt's army has long played a large role in the country's economy, recent steps taken by the armed forces in the baby formula and education sector have reignited fears about its financial power. Egypt
Rouhani set to address UNGA amid high expectations at home President Hassan Rouhani is in New York to address the UN General Assembly amid high expectations at home about the outcome of his trip. United States
