Trump waives nuclear sanctions but slaps Iran on missiles, human rights The Trump administration sanctioned seven new entities for their alleged role in Iran’s ballistic missile program even as it complied with the letter of the nuclear deal. United States
Do Iran's conservatives have a foreign policy agenda? While Iran's 2013 presidential election focused primarily on foreign policy issues, this year's election is all about the economy. Iran
Khomeini family breaks taboo, backs Rouhani For the first time after the demise of the founder of the Islamic Republic, the family of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini has expressed support for a candidate in a presidential election. Iran
Who's behind campaign to probe Rouhani's doctoral thesis? Accusations of plagiarism in President Hassan Rouhani’s doctoral thesis first surfaced in 2013. Four years later, ahead of Iran’s May 19 presidential election, a group of students has decided to look into the matter more closely. Iran
DC treated to Turkish-style crackdown on pro-Kurdish demonstrators In a replay of last year's violence, the Turkish president's security detail was filmed beating up peaceful Syrian Kurdish protesters in Washington. Turkey
Voters keep Algeria’s legislative leaders in power despite economy, unemployment Islamists gained some influence in Algeria’s recent parliamentary elections, but the ruling party retained its position. Algeria
What Abbas hopes to achieve from Trump's Palestine visit Ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the West Bank, the Palestinian leadership is satisfied with its choice of strategy, consisting of opening communication channels with the new Trump administration and avoiding tensions on the ground. Palestine
Trump expected to waive Iran sanctions today Issuing the waivers would be a sign of the Trump administration’s begrudging inclination to go along with the nuclear deal, at least for now, even as it huddles with Sunni allies and Israel to push back on Iranian expansionism. United States
Erdogan-Trump: The most unsuccessful Washington visit ever History will record Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent visit to Washington as the most unsuccessful presidential visit ever to Washington. Turkey
Why southern Syria remains Jordan’s biggest security threat Amman and Washington's concern about an Iranian land corridor from Tehran to Beirut through Iraq and Syria has raised questions about steps Jordan might take along its border with southern Syria, into which extremists are expanding. Iraq
Iraqi activists, journalists terrorized by armed groups The kidnapping of a number of activists and journalists in Baghdad has members of Iraq's civil society worrying about their livelihood. Iraq
Syrian orphanages overcrowded with children traumatized by war An orphanage in Azaz, near Aleppo and the Turkish border, serves hundreds of Syrian children who lost their families in the ongoing war. Syria
The rise of the Eurasianist vision in Turkey The Eurasianist vision for Turkey has gone beyond rhetoric, gaining weight especially with regard to defense and security, but its proponents are themselves divided on what the country’s Eurasian future should mean. Turkey
Did Trump endanger Israeli-US intelligence cooperation? Israel is at loss over revelations that President Donald Trump exposed sensitive intelligence information to Russia. Israel
Iraqi factions divided over whether US troops stay Despite strong opposition from influential Shiite factions ready to engage in military clashes with US forces, the Iraqi government wants an agreement with the United States to ensure that US troops remain in Iraq after the elimination of the Islamic State. Iraq
DC think tank accused of bending over backwards for Erdogan Washington tongues are wagging as prominent think tank the Atlantic Council prepares to receive Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with whom its leadership has enthusiastically pursued relations. Turkey
