Why did Israel now decide to arrest Islamic Movement leader? Police waited three weeks before detaining Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of the outlawed Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, fearing that his arrest during the Al-Aqsa crisis might lead Israeli Arabs to riot. Palestine
Life returns to northern Aleppo region Recreational facilities are being established in the Euphrates Shield region controlled by the Free Syrian Army amid relative stability. Syria
Trump administration presses Middle East on religious freedom Secretary of State Rex Tillerson committed the United States to fighting for religious liberty around the world with the release of the annual International Religious Freedom Report. Gulf
What’s next for GCC-Iraq ties after Sadr's UAE visit? Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has made trips to Saudi Arabia and the UAE to meet with Gulf leaders, but improving Iraq-GCC ties will be no easy task. Saudi Arabia
This woman might be wild card who stops Erdogan As Turkey's ruling political party struggles to revive its mojo, a challenger is rising who could take on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Turkey faces Kurdish quandary in Iraq, Syria Ankara is finding it difficult to devise a holistic approach to the region’s Kurdish question. Syria
Turkish, Iranian brass meet in Ankara Iran and Turkey's top military leaders are beginning three days of meetings today in Ankara, and coverage so far suggests the two rivals are feeling marginalized and eager to work together to promote their shared interests. Turkey
Gazans have the hots for chili peppers Peppers — pickled, roasted, stuffed or mashed — make up an essential part of cuisine in Gaza, and for prideful Palestinians in the Strip, the hotter the better. Palestine
Saudi suppression of Shiites threatens Canadian arms deal If Canada cancels a lucrative arms deal with Saudi Arabia over the use of Canadian-sold arms against civilians, it could affect Riyadh's ability to purchase US and UK arms as well. Saudi Arabia
Armed disputes reveal Iraqi Christians' discord Run-ins between Christian factions' armed units in Iraq expose growing gaps in the parties' visions for their future. Iraq
Moderate appointed to head Iran’s Expediency Council Iran’s supreme leader appointed moderate Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi as chairman of the Expediency Council. Iran
Iranian film sheds new light on security services Addressing the turbulent years following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, "Midday Adventures" addresses a divisive part of Iranian history from a new perspective. Iran
Israel pushes security ties while Cairo, Amman embassies sit empty Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to care little about Israel’s diplomatic ties with Egypt and Jordan so long as security ties are maintained. Palestine
After decades in exile, musician finds way home to Diyarbakir After an ill-fated love story forced oud player Yervant Bostanci to leave Diyarbakir, he has returned to his homeland and says he will never leave again. Turkey
Russia re-examines relationship with Iran As the military situation shifts in Syria, so does Tehran’s once-symbiotic status with Moscow. Jordan
Ahmadinejad camp brazenly assaults Iranian judiciary Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s inner circle launches a rare and brazen frontal assault on the judiciary. Iran
