Benghazi blowback hamstrings US role in post-IS Iraq Congress is weighing America's role after Mosul amid looming budget cuts and paralyzing partisanship. Iraq
Turkey downplays Barzani's support for HDP Now that Iraqi Kurdistan's president has left Istanbul, Turkey is denying reports that he had appealed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to free several prominent Kurdish politicians from jail, probably because suggestions that Barzani was lobbying on behalf of Turkey's pro-Kurdish parties complicated Erdogan's efforts to woo Kurdish voters in the run-up to the April 16 referendum. Turkey
How Israel’s Gaza War report became a political battlefield Missing the purpose of the state comptroller's report to debate the Gaza War, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon are busy defending themselves while Education Minister Naftali Bennett marks a political victory. Israel
How Iran's hard-line media reacted to Oscar win While Asghar Farhadi’s Oscar for “The Salesman” was warmly welcomed by moderates and Reformists, the hard-line media tried to discredit the achievement, opining the award was politically motivated. United States
Fictional president falls victim to censorship in Turkey A short comedy film becomes the latest victim of censorship in Turkey, as authorities seem to grow pricklier ahead of a critical plebiscite in April. Turkey
Turkey's AKP scrambles to contain crisis ahead of key vote Turkey’s government has enacted a series of economic measures to woo voters ahead of a key constitutional referendum, but the threat of the economic crisis is far from over. Turkey
Graphic novel illustrates life of Syrian refugees in Lebanon A French NGO launched a project, with the help of five artists from Syria, Lebanon and France, to publish a graphic novel on the financial, emotional and social struggle of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Lebanon
Why Iraq's Shiites are wary of Sadr's 'Initial Solutions' Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's proposal for national reconciliation in the post-Islamic State era has attracted support from Sunnis, but Shiites not so much. Originals
What's behind Israeli Cabinet's anti-polygamy plan? The Israeli Cabinet has created a plan to strictly enforce an anti-polygamy law from 1977, but why now? Palestine
Will families with 2 children become the norm in Egypt? A parliamentary committee is examining draft legislation aimed at curbing Egypt's population growth by encouraging smaller families. Egypt
Egypt’s Cabinet reshuffle disappoints Several politicians expressed their dissatisfaction with the recent Cabinet reshuffle in Egypt, which excluded economic portfolios. Egypt
Netanyahu and the 'apartheid state' Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the term “apartheid state” has gone from being a label to becoming substance. Palestine
5 Rouhani allies in the crosshairs of Iran's hard-liners In the months leading up to Iran’s May 19 presidential election, conservative opponents will likely focus on incumbent President Hassan Rouhani's inner circle. Iran
Iran's priciest export at risk Overfishing and pollution are not only threatening production of Iran’s prized caviar, but also the health of millions of Iranians living along the shores of the Caspian Sea. Iran
Will Iran’s Guardian Council disqualify Rouhani from running? With Iran's presidential election three months away, tongues are openly wagging about the Guardian Council's potentially disqualifying President Hassan Rouhani from running for re-election, and the Priniciplists suspect a ploy to portray him as a victim. Iran
What is Russia’s role in Syria and the 'post-West' world order? Russia is not wasting time while the new US administration gets its bearings on Syria and the rest of the world. Syria
