How cultural war made Ankara an architectural battleground Ankara’s austere and minimalist flavor is a shock to many who are more accustomed to architecture around the Bosphorus, but for local residents, the city's gray buildings are icons from a cherished era. Turkey
Israeli strikes raise questions about US presence in Iraq A suspected Israeli strike against an Iran-backed convoy in Iraq has raised political doubts about the long-term American troop presence there. Iraq
Tehran says fresh nuclear deal breaches ahead if talks fail Iran says it will firmly adhere to its plan to further reduce compliance to the nuclear deal unless there is a breakthrough in talks with European signatories by Sept. 6. Originals
Istanbul mayor cuts funding to pro-AKP groups as city spending comes under scrutiny As evidence of controversial spending under AKP officials accumulates in southeast Turkey, Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has cut funding for certain state-linked foundations. Turkey
With each Erdogan visit, Ankara grows more indebted to Moscow Russia’s diplomatic, economic and security gains from its ties with Turkey keep growing amid the conflict in Syria, while Ankara becomes increasingly indebted to Moscow. Turkey
Lebanese-Israeli front heats up as Hezbollah vows retaliation Hezbollah's leader has promised to retaliate for Israel killing two of its operatives in Syria and bombing the movement's office Lebanon. Israel
Palestinian, Israeli economies intertwined A tour of the West Bank city of Bethlehem makes it clear that the Palestinian and Israeli economies are intertwined. Palestine
Israel, PA find creative ways to save West Bank from economic collapse Israel understands that implementing the "deduction" law could generate an economic collapse of the PA and in turn endanger security coordination with the Palestinians. Palestine
Netanyahu multiplies efforts for Likud to be the biggest party Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chalked up a major victory in convincing Zehut leader Moshe Feiglin to take his party out of the running for the Sept. 17 election. Israel
Iraqi Mandaeans fear extinction The Mandaean community in Iraq is dwindling to such low numbers that its members fear extinction. Iraq
Cash-strapped Jordan imposes new taxes; public anger ensues Economists suggest the Jordanian government should cut its own expenses and those of its staff instead of imposing taxes that add to the people’s economic burden. Jordan
Another international player gets involved in Syrian Kurdish rapprochement A British delegation recently visited the Kurdish region in Syria and met with rival Kurdish parties. Syria
Iraq poised for ambitious plan after Babylon listed by UNESCO Baghdad lobbied for more than three decades to get Babylon on UNESCO World Heritage List, but the way ahead may be even more difficult. Iraq
Israel pays the price for sidelining Europe on the Iranian file The latest visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Biarritz indicates that France is willing to offer Israel a respite on the Palestinian issue, but not on the Iranian file. Israel
Will Putin's 'ice cream diplomacy' with Erdogan help resolve Idlib? In Moscow, ice cream may have been the only thing Erdogan got for free from Putin. Syria
Tehran stock market rally likely to continue Iran’s stock market is recovering dramatically as subsidized exchange rates are reduced, commodities are deregulated and certain prices are brought in line with inflation. Iran
