Why Rouhani’s social housing scheme faces more than bumpy start

The Rouhani administration’s long-delayed scheme to provide social housing for marginalized households finally appears ready to be implemented — but not without a bumpy start.

Iran

Why rift between Iran’s moderates, hard-liners is really about republicanism

The continuing public feud between Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Ayatollah Mohammad-Taghi Mesbah Yazdi suggests that the revolutionary clash between moderates and hard-liners over the nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran is far from over.

Iran

Why Iran’s 'green gold' is set to rebound

Despite being hit by climate change and sanctions, Iran’s millennia-old pistachio production appears set to increase production and export.

United States

What is Rouhani seeking to achieve with his Citizens’ Rights Charter?

Barely out from the printing press, the Iranian president’s long-promised Citizens’ Rights Charter is coming under fire, and not just for coming five months before his bid for re-election.

Iran

Will Iran, Hamas break ties over Aleppo?

Relations between Hamas and Iran have been especially tense since the group publicly condemned the violent battle for Aleppo.

Palestine

Why did Iranian opposition leader resign from his own party?

Green Movement leader Mehdi Karroubi, who has been under house arrest since 2011, has resigned as head of the Reformist party that he established.

Iran

Why Iran sees Aleppo as chance to get in rather than out

Rather than seeing the victory in Aleppo as an opportunity to wind down operations, the Syrian government’s Iranian ally appears to be preparing to push ahead with new offensives.

Syria

How will Britain-Gulf rapprochement affect Egypt?

Following British Prime Minister Theresa May's attendance at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, it seems cooperation between both sides could potentially worsen Egypt’s relations with the Gulf states.

Legacy: Gulf

Christmas brings hope for peace for Aleppo’s Christians

Christians part of region’s DNA, said incoming UN secretary-general; Turkey’s “impossible war”; Erdogan backers blame Iran for Aleppo.

Egypt

Obama administration allows Americans to train Iranians

New regulations unveiled Dec. 22 allow drug, medical device and agricultural experts to travel to Iran.

United States

Did Zarif really say it was a 'mistake' to trust Kerry?

Once again, Iranian hard-liners move to tarnish the reputation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif — this time by attributing to him false remarks about the “mistake” of trusting the United States.

United States

Why Ankara now feels vulnerable to Russia

The assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara has engaged Turkey to the Russian option in Syria, while Russia sees it as an opportunity to create an alternative axis in the Middle East

Syria