US Navy's tweet seen as call to battle in Turkey The US Navy's birthday tweet of a painting depicting one of its first international battles has furious Turks asking what message the United States is trying to send to the Turkish government. Turkey
Veiled taekwondo champion breaks Turkish stereotypes Kubra Dagli, the headscarved world champion in taekwondo, is challenging old secularist biases, new Islamist ideals and overarching national machismo in Turkey. Turkey
How Turkey’s government became the country’s top tycoon The Turkish government has seized scores of companies in its crackdown on the Gulen community after the July coup attempt, which, some believe, will be now transferred to government cronies. Turkey
Is Jordan Israel’s new best friend? Jordan is boosting its strategic ties with Israel based on their mutual economic interests, while Palestinians sound the alarm against normalization of relations with their enemy. Palestine
Religious minorities find protection, support in southern Iraq While some Iraqi minority populations are suffering persecution by extremists in the northern and western regions, others are enjoying freedom and resources in central and southern Iraq, where the government contributes to building and maintaining their holy places. Iraq
Why Rouhani won't halt costly cash handouts anytime soon Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is unlikely to discontinue the monthly cash handouts paid to most Iranians any time soon, despite the payouts' steep costs. Iran
30 years on, fate of Israeli air force officer remains a mystery Three decades after IDF navigator Ron Arad ejected from his jet in Lebanon, Israelis still cannot be sure of his fate and cannot heal from the trauma that left such a deep scar on both the military and civil society. Israel
Erdogan not backing down on Turkish role in Mosul Turkey’s demand seen as challenge to United States and Iran, as well as Iraq; Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls Hillary Clinton a "political novice" for remarks on Syrian Kurds; ultranationalist group dominates Turkish security services. Iraq
Arrest of security officer shines light on freedom of expression in Palestine The arrest of a Palestinian government employee critical of President Mahmoud Abbas is indicative of the constraints on freedom of expression that Palestinian journalists face. Palestine
Health crisis in the making as doctors flee Iraq As a brain drain in the health sector and the war against IS continue, Iraq is facing a health crisis. Iraq
US election controversies: How low will it go? In the runup to the final presidential debate this week, will more controversial issues be uncovered? U.S.
US elections 2016: Don't bury the GOP just yet Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of Oct. 10. U.S.
Why some Turks no longer rally behind their national soccer team World Cup 2018 fever has gone cold in Turkey, as Turks are too polarized to cheer in unison for their national team. Turkey
Turkey’s new paradox The aftermath of the July 15 attempted coup has produced the most serious crisis and erosion the Turkish state has ever seen. Turkey
US Treasury official praises Saudi cooperation against terror funding Assistant Treasury Secretary Daniel Glaser says there has been substantial progress reducing funds amassed by the Islamic State, but warns that IS could seek external financing if it loses its "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria. Saudi Arabia
Where does Turkey's Erdogan stand on US presidential race? According to the Turkish president, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lacks political experience. Turkey