Why Russia isn’t rushing to lift sanctions on Turkey Russia appears to be in no hurry to remove all of its sanctions against Turkey, even though it’s been a year since they were imposed. Turkey
Deadly train crash in Iran prompts resignation, arrests The backlash over one of the deadliest train crashes in the history of Iran brings down the head of the country’s railways and leads to the arrests of multiple officials. Iran
Did IS kill Turkish troops in Syria? The Turkish government is remaining silent while some say the Islamic State — not the Syrian air force, as Ankara claims — was responsible for an attack on Turkish forces in northern Syria. Syria
Can international film festival help Egypt revive tourism? Faced with an anemic economy and fears of terrorism, the 38th annual international film festival in Cairo lacked star power and international appeal. Egypt
What do Kurds expect from Trump? Turkey's Kurds are wondering what kind of policy President-elect Donald Trump will follow on Turkey's Kurdish problem. Turkey
How Ankara plans to manage Kurds' religious affairs After firing hundreds of imams in Turkey's southeast region, the Religious Affairs Directorate wants to hand-pick preachers that will help the Kurds remember "real Islam." Turkey
Turkey moves full throttle toward one-party state Turkey’s authoritarian shift may be institutionalized in a matter of months, as few obstacles remain before a referendum on a presidential system. Turkey
Iranian Kurds fighting IS in Iraq put Tehran on alert Iran appears increasingly alarmed about the Iranian Kurdish separatists who are fighting the Islamic State alongside Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Is Yemen falling into an abyss? Yemen's brutal civil war must end soon before the damage becomes irreparable. Saudi Arabia
Raqqa’s displaced flee to Iraqi border areas The residents of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor are fleeing the fighting and are heading to al-Hawl camp in Hasakah, where conditions are harsh for the thousands of displaced. Syria
Why can't Egyptians get the medicines they need? Egypt's decision to float the pound sent drug prices soaring, and drug companies have responded by curtailing imports, leading to a critical shortage. Egypt
Kurdish soldiers bring own weapons to fight IS in Mosul As the Kurdish peshmerga complain about the shortage of US support, some tend to buy weapons with their own money to attend the battle against the Islamic State. Iraq
How will Israel punish suspected wildfire arsonists? Israeli politicians are asking to revoke the citizenship of the Palestinian arsonists, even though international law prohibits leaving a person without citizenship. Palestine
PA's 'Trump team' lays plans for next four years Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has formed a steering committee to prepare for Donald Trump’s presidency as speculation about his intentions continues. Palestine
Putin not waiting for Trump to press advantage in Syria Russian president seeks gains in Syria in the final weeks of the Obama administration; Saudi Arabia encouraged by Trump’s take on Iran; Liberman as gatekeeper between Trump and Netanyahu. Saudi Arabia
Why does President Erdogan admire Belarus? Erdogan prefers the self-styled “democracy” of Belarus and hails it against the failures and double standards of the West. Turkey
