Car bomb strikes Turkey's Izmir The Turkish city of Izmir has become the latest target in a spate of terror attacks. Turkey
Turkey: Winner or loser in Syria? There is unfortunately every indicator that terror will continue to hit Turkey in force during 2017. Syria
How Israel's populist politicians campaigned for Hebron shooter The family of Sgt. Elor Azaria was hoping that a populist right-wing campaign in support of their son would save him from conviction over the fatal shooting of a wounded Palestinian assailant. Israel
Will improved ties with Russia make Turkey regional player? Not everyone close to the government thinks developing relations with Russia to counterbalance tense ties with the West is the right way to go. Syria
Are ultra-Orthodox taking over this secular Israeli city? Residents of the southern city of Arad are worried about the Gur ultra-Orthodox sect members who are constantly buying apartments there. Israel
Should Iran worry about Putin throwing it under the bus? Iranian officials have always had a pessimistic outlook toward Russia, which could serve them well given the apparent possibility of closer US-Russian relations under Donald Trump. Syria
Amona settlement first test of UN resolution The Israeli government's plan to relocate the evicted Amona settlers to land owned by Palestinian "absentee landlords" directly defies UN Security Council Resolution 2334. Palestine
Smell of death fills Mosul The bodies of Islamic State fighters lie in the streets of the liberated areas of Mosul, which is causing concern about the physical and psychological well-being of the city's residents. Iraq
Palestinians: Kerry speech too little, too late Palestinians welcomed US Secretary of State John Kerry’s strong position on settlements, but do not believe it will positively influence the incoming US administration. Palestine
New marine force in Gaza has Israel on guard Hamas' Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip has announced the formation of new marine force tasked with protecting Gaza’s shores from smuggling operations, but Israel views the new military branch as part of the resistance. Palestine
Is Hamas producing weapons in the West Bank? Israel is concerned by discoveries of large weapons workshops and militant cells over the past year in the West Bank. Palestine
Can Aleppo’s displaced survive in Idlib? Refugees keep flooding into Idlib, Syria, seeking shelter from the civil war but straining the city's resources. Syria
Gazans kick off new year with plans for spring comedy festival A media company in the Gaza Strip has announced Palestine's first comedy festival to be held in March. Palestine
Will Israel really halt civil coordination with Palestinian Authority? In response to UN Resolution 2334, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman issued a decision to halt civil and political coordination with the Palestinian Authority, which the Palestinians perceived as mere media hype. Palestine
Will Iran’s president be barred from running for second term? With only months left of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's first term, speculation rises about the possible disqualification of his expected bid for re-election in May. Iran
Russia pleased with deepening US-Turkey rift over Syria Russia is cleverly filling the void created by the estrangement between the United States and Turkey. Syria
