Iranians ponder Obama’s legacy with rise of Trump Barack Obama’s departure from the White House leaves Iranians divided about his legacy, with some calling his presidency a "great opportunity for Iran that is now gone." United States
Will Hamas military wing topple Haniyeh’s candidacy? Ismail Haniyeh knows that even if he is elected as the head of Hamas’ political bureau, the military wing will be the one that rules Hamas. Palestine
Reconstruction work brings more gloom to southeast Turkey Renovation work has begun in the emptied, conflict-ravaged old city of Diyarbakir, where the government's restoration project is being criticized as a security move rather than an effort to preserve internationally acknowledged historic sites. Turkey
Did Kerry plan's failure hand Putin the Middle East? Russia has ignored the 2006 decision by the Quartet not to engage in contacts with Hamas until it renounces violence, suggesting another move by Moscow to fill the vacuum left by the United States in the region. Israel
Democrats urged Obama to cease Yemen war role before Trump took over Twenty-five House Democrats wrote to Barack Obama earlier this month to ask him to stop supporting the Saudi-led coalition. Saudi Arabia
Six years on, Egypt's revolution still alive Those who participated in the January 25 Revolution, who experienced great euphoria but then deep despair, now see a sliver of hope thanks to a recent court ruling. Egypt
Egypt's new public service mandate has some women wanting more The Egyptian government has just mandated that Egyptian youth perform a year's worth of public service, but some Egyptian women say the government's decision doesn't go far enough. Egypt
Is Trump hoping for another Ahmadinejad in Tehran? Iranian media paid less than expected attention to President Trump’s inauguration as it was busy covering the aftermath of the deadly collapse of a high-rise in Tehran. United States
What's the holdup in Turkey's battle for al-Bab? Turkey's president must be mulling over many factors influencing the stalled action in Syria. Turkey
No major deals likely at Astana talks on Syria The Syrian sides are making no promises at the peace talks in Astana, and despite their joint support for a political solution, neither are Turkey and Russia. Syria
Is Trump really Netanyahu’s 'dream president’? Benjamin Netanyahu must cope with a Trump administration whose policies are not yet known while facing pressures from the far right to annex settlement blocs and other pressures from Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, the prime minister's rival from the pragmatist right. Palestine
Israeli security establishment to Netanyahu: Don't touch Iran deal Contrary to the opinion of Israel’s security establishment, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers asking President Donald Trump to abandon the nuke agreement with Iran. Israel
Iranian soccer players face intensified crackdown A recent string of suspensions of soccer players for discussing corruption and taking pictures with female fans stirs controversy in Iran. Iran
After Aleppo victory, what's next for Hezbollah? With recent military victories in the Syrian war, Hezbollah has consolidated its political power and influence in Lebanon as well as in the greater region. Lebanon
Why was pro-government Egyptian TV host taken off air? Another talk show has been banned in Egypt, but this time the offender is staunchly pro-regime, suggesting the Egyptian government's already low tolerance for dissent is reaching extremes. Egypt
IS reinforces positions in Syria's al-Bab The Free Syrian Army, backed by Turkish forces, is facing major difficulties in their battles against the Islamic State near al-Bab in northern Aleppo, where IS is reinforcing its positions and besieging civilians they use as human shields. Syria
