Despite Netanyahu's blitz, Liberman grows stronger Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expended great efforts to hurt Yisreal Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman in a battle for his Russian voters, but Liberman continues to make gains in the polls. Israel
Russia, UN take another stab at forming Syria’s constitutional committee Despite real progress on the formation of a constitutional committee for Syria, challenges remain ahead of a new round of Astana talks. Syria
Zarif advises US against war, says dialogue still possible Iran's foreign minister is in New York for a high-level UN meeting, where he is engaging in his characteristic public diplomacy efforts despite the US government's strict curbs on his movement in the city. Originals
Meet the 'fast and furious' of Lebanon Leila Nasrallah developed a passion for cars and driving at the age of 13 and today has helped assemble a community of fellow enthusiasts who meet every day to talk cars, race each other and drift. Lebanon
Sunnis accuse Shiites of expanding influence in Mosul Sunnis in the city of Mosul are disappointed about the growing Shiite influence in the city following the liberation from the Islamic State. Iraq
Gaza constructors to work in Arab countries The Palestinian Contractors Union has convinced Arab markets to employ Palestinian contractors, amid the regressing construction sector in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
EU says Iran deal parties trying to salvage deal, not ready to trigger dispute mechanism The remaining parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are not yet prepared to trigger the accord’s dispute-resolution mechanism over Iran’s decision to reduce its compliance to protest crippling US economic sanctions. United States
Three years on, coup attempt continues to reshape Turkey On the third anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt, politics, foreign policy and daily life continue to bare marks of the night that would remake Turkey. Turkey
Israeli court rules Abbas responsible for terror attacks An Israeli court ruled that the Palestinian Authority is to be held responsible for terror attacks not carried out by its own people, prompting questions of how the ruling will affect PA security cooperation with Israel. Palestine
Iran calls for concrete steps from Europe to save nuclear deal In response to European statements regarding keeping the nuclear deal alive, Iran says it wants to see operational steps rather than statements. United States
New Turkish political party in works as economy czar quits AKP Turkey’s former economy chief, Ali Babacan, quit the ruling party last week in the first overt move toward creating a new rival party. Turkey
US ban on anti-Iran militant group could have wide-ranging impact By expanding its terrorist watchlist, Washington is potentially making Iran, Pakistan and China happy. Saudi Arabia
Russia eyes big picture with S-400 sale to Turkey Russia's controversial S-400 deal with Turkey is more about constructing a Middle East less dependent on the United States than direct competition. Turkey
How Turkey is planning to handle US blowback over S-400s Some parts of the Russian made S-400 missile system arrived in Ankara in the last several days, but none of the shipment included missiles. Turkey
Forced disappearances in Syria leave invisible toll Syrians continue to look for their loved ones, believed imprisoned or executed by the Islamic State. Syria
Egypt weighs pros and cons of IMF loan As the IMF reform program with Egypt is set to come to an end in August, future cooperation agreements between the two sides are yet to be revealed as experts weigh the pros and cons of the program. Egypt