Controversy erupts over women's role in political life in Egypt The head of Egypt's National Council for Women, a government body dedicated to addressing women's issues, has stirred controversy by requesting that party leaders resign from the group. Egypt
New Suez Canal income slowly sinking The new Suez Canal is now two years old and facing public scrutiny, as it is far from achieving what officials pledged. Egypt
Rights organizations rally to reveal fate of Syria’s disappeared As the number of disappeared has reached more than 75,000 people in Syria, Amnesty International launched a campaign urging the Syrian authorities and armed groups to reveal their fate. Lebanon
Egypt busts organ trafficking network As Egypt fields more reports of organ trafficking, parliament boosts punishments. Egypt
Israel's worst-ever opposition Israel's opposition needs to take a page from Ehud Barak in how to turn the screws on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu given his glaring vulnerabilities. Israel
Egypt looks to Europe to help solve Renaissance Dam crisis Egypt and Germany have recently signed a cooperation agreement to fight illegal immigration to Europe, with Cairo hoping such a deal would garner European support regarding its dispute with Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Is Abbas under international pressure to relieve Gaza? Recent actions by President Mahmoud Abbas to relieve sanctions imposed on the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip may indicate pressure is being applied from the European Union. Palestine
Netanyahu cries foul as court protects asylum-seekers from indefinite detention Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is framing a recent ruling to limit detention periods for asylum-seekers as further evidence of the threat they pose to Israeli society. Israel
Iraqi folk troupe struggles to stay on stage The Iraqi national dance troupe is struggling to survive amid a lack of financial support and social taboos around dancing. Iraq
Senate panel slashes military aid to Egypt Frustrated appropriators vote to cut military assistance to Cairo by $300 million. Egypt
Crashes force US Navy to review Gulf operations A string of deadly accidents in the Asia-Pacific Theater could have major impacts on US Navy operations in the Persian Gulf. United States
Gauging aftermath of Turkey’s great intelligence gaffe Turkey's government and media are keeping mum about what appears to be the biggest blunder in the recent history of Turkish intelligence. Turkey
Turkish drone bombs picnickers without cause, says pro-Kurdish opposition A Turkish air force drone bombed four men picnicking in a remote province sympathetic to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), as authorities claim they were assembling with terrorists. Turkey
Iran-Syria soccer game surrounded by major controversy Iranian authorities stir controversy by allowing Syrian women to attend a soccer World Cup qualifier while refusing to let in Iranian women. Syria
Why Turkey's brides are doing disappearing act In the process of increasing visibility of Islamization, wedding invitations become contested territory in Turkey. Turkey
Ankara must go through US, Russia to get to YPG Recent developments on the ground suggest that any new Syria incursion by Turkey could encounter unexpected obstacles. Syria
