Will gold exports help boost Iran's economy? Iran has lifted restrictions on the export of raw gold to support its fledgling gold industry, but the sector will need more upgrades to compete in the global market. Iran
What Iranian clerics really think of Cyrus the Great The backlash by one prominent Iranian cleric against the recent major gathering at the tomb of Cyrus the Great belies the Shiite clergy’s more nuanced approach to Iran’s pre-Islamic past. Iran
New study explores Tunisia’s jihadi movement in numbers Gleaning information from court cases, researchers have made significant discoveries about Tunisia’s jihadi movement. Syria
Iraqi National Alliance seeks Maliki-Sadr reconciliation The predominately Shiite National Alliance with Iranian support is trying to reconcile between Vice President Nouri al-Maliki and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Iraq
Why Iranian-Saudi game in Lebanon is far from over Iranian officials were quick to congratulate Michel Aoun on becoming president of Lebanon, while their Saudi rivals, not so pleased with his new position, took a little longer. Saudi Arabia
How a joke about Sisi’s fridge has strained Cairo-Riyadh ties The careless slip of a Saudi tongue was enough to anger Egyptians and end the term of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's secretary-general as Riyadh-Cairo relations deteriorate over regional alliances and halted oil shipments. Saudi Arabia
Russia emerges as a center of gravity for Israel Given that Russia’s influence in the Middle East excluding Syria remains limited, Moscow is looking for other entry points — but can Israel offer such an opportunity? Palestine
Can Israel's opposition leader challenge Netanyahu? With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu up again in the polls, Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog needs to present to the public a coherent and clear political program in order to defeat him. Israel
US promises Turkey role in Raqqa in surprise Ankara meeting The United States has reached out to Turkey, which is fuming over US support for Kurdish-led forces in Syria, by sending its chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to meet with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara and discuss Raqqa. Syria
Controversy flares over opening of EU office in Iran Iran's Foreign Ministry has sparked confusion in sending mixed signals about the government's position on opening an EU office in Tehran. Iran
Turkish soap operas turn Istanbul into Paris of the East Popular Turkish TV series are filling state coffers by attracting tourists from as far away as South America. Turkey
What minefields await Lebanon's new president? Michel Aoun was sworn in just a week ago, and he already faces a full agenda of crucial issues as Lebanon's president. Saudi Arabia
Turkish universities latest domino in Erdogan's path Under the state of emergency, the president of Turkey now has the power to appoint the heads of all state-run as well as private universities. Turkey
Black smoke, suspicion hang heavy over Iraq's Qayyarah More than two months after the liberation of Qayyarah from the Islamic State, the oil wells the militants set ablaze continue to blacken the town with toxic smoke. Iraq
New Arabic music degree program attracts Palestinian students Birzeit University in the West Bank has launched a new bachelor's degree program that allows students to learn more than just music theory. Palestine
How Abbas could end up with three successors As Fatah’s seventh congress draws near, there is talk of distributing the top three positions within the movement, all currently held by President Mahmoud Abbas, to different individuals. Palestine
