Iran army chief's Turkey tour ends in promises of military cooperation Regional rivals Turkey and Iran are exchanging visits by top officials, brought together by deeply ingrained fears that Western powers are covertly egging on their respective Kurdish populations to weaken and dismember them. Syria
Venezuela's Maduro finds solidarity in Turkey When supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan look at the situation in Venezuela, they see a leader to be defended like their own instead of a situation to be avoided. Turkey
Saudi Arabia engages Iraq at Iran's dismay Iraq's rapprochement with Arab Sunni countries including Saudi Arabia is putting increased pressure on Iran. Saudi Arabia
What's behind Egyptian theater's revival? With new shows and stars taking the stage, Egyptian theater is taking on a new life. Egypt
How Israel's arrest of Islamic Movement leader could backfire The Israeli right has made the leader of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, Raed Salah, the focus of its fight against terrorism, but the move misses crucial parts of fighting against incitement to violence. Israel
The Israeli right's hypocrisy on discrimination Israeli right-wing politicians, though quick to criticize others for what they deem anti-Semitism, support discrimination against Arabs. Palestine
Pentagon says captured Islamic State fighters hooked on drugs Syrian Democratic Forces have found an increasingly desperate detachment of militants using drugs, including amphetamines, to keep themselves in the fight. Syria
Turkey squawks as KRG referendum nears As regional and US pressure ramps up on Iraqi Kurds to postpone the independence referendum, Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani seems unlikely to crack. Iraq
Iranians mock Rouhani over explanation for no female ministers Iranians take to social media to mock President Hassan Rouhani over his explanation for failing to abide by his campaign promise to appoint female ministers to his Cabinet. Iran
Iranian return to hajj could help end Saudi deadlock The resumption of Iranian participation in the annual hajj pilgrimage may help pave the way for an end to the diplomatic deadlock between Riyadh and Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Kurds plan ahead for shifting status in Syria Syrian Kurds, worried by Turkey’s threat to enter Afrin and a possible rapprochement between Washington and Ankara, are firming up their plans for autonomy. Syria
After Mosul, Iraq's western Anbar next up in IS fight An Iraqi offensive against the Islamic State is likely to take place in the near future in the western Anbar province, with the city of Haditha being the gateway to the region. Iraq
Palestinians may be on verge of charting new political path It appears that President Mahmoud Abbas wants to convene the Palestinian National Council, after a hiatus of more than 20 years, which would allow the Palestinian movement to move toward a change in leadership. Palestine
Critics challenge validity of Egypt's anti-terror council Culture now has a place on Egypt's National Council to Fight Terrorism, but does it have a real purpose there? Egypt
Egypt, Sudan stray further apart over Gulf crisis Egypt is doubling down on its efforts to convince African countries to take a stance against Qatar, while Sudan decided to take a neutral position over the Gulf crisis. Saudi Arabia
Journalists fear for safety as Netanyahu ups war on media Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attacks on the media are creating a climate that threatens journalists' lives. Israel
