A thaw in Turkey’s relations with Egypt? Gulf Cooperation Council reconciliation may have set in motion Ankara’s desire for a reset with Cairo. Egypt
Biden's deputy secretary of state nominee OK'd by Senate committee The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved moving Wendy Sherman's nomination to the full Senate, with some Democrats and Republicans who had disagreed with her on the Iran deal voting to confirm her anyway. United States
Biden's CIA nominee stresses China over Iran during Senate hearing Ambassador William Burns said that China is the biggest challenge for the United States, but that Iran and Russia cannot be overlooked. Regional
Post-COVID Mideast economies look to the Gulf and Egypt The region took a hard hit from the pandemic, and it’s far from over, but Egypt and Saudi Arabia are managing better than expected. Regional
Iran condemns Saudi bombing of Yemen Hard-line Iranian officials have condemned the United States and Saudi Arabia for the bombing in Yemen and have warned of consequences for Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Iranian vendor dies after setting himself on fire Iranian activists are questioning why the self-immolation of a fruit vendor in Iran did not lead to mass protests. Regional
Where is Turkey’s place in strategy against IS? Turkey is absent from the Iraqi leg of the strategy to defeat the Islamic State, and stands no chance of any major role in the Syrian leg, too, as long as it remains obsessed with toppling Assad. Turkey
Turkey to support Mosul operation from sidelines Turkey will provide assistance to the forces organizing to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, but will not engage directly in military conflict. Iraq
Can you be an Islamist and a feminist? Feminists and others in the West intent on "liberating" the women of the Muslim world fail to recognize a brand of Islamist feminism demanding public and private space for women to contribute to society. Gulf
Saudi Arabia prepares for Iran nuclear deal Saudi Arabia has been pulling out the diplomatic stops in an effort to contain Iran in anticipation of what it sees as an unfavorable nuclear deal between the West and the Islamic republic. Saudi Arabia
300 days at the Tomb of Suleiman Shah Speaking with Al-Monitor, Turkish special forces officers share their experiences, observations and insights into Islamic State activities near the Tomb of Suleiman Shah and the origins of the Turkish government's decision to evacuate its soldiers. Syria
IS eager to confront US ground forces in Iraq Islamic State propaganda makes clear its desire to draw the United States into deploying combat troops, setting up a potentially direct confrontation. Iraq
10 Middle East artists to watch Many female artists in the Middle East and North Africa are redefining their mediums. Bahrain
Some see snubs, Erdogan sees envy While Erdogan remains unconcerned, diplomats say Turkey's isolation is hurting the country. Turkey
Congress may re-examine special arms deals with Israel The US policy of giving Israel a Qualitative Military Edge policy over its neighbors has been called into question now that they are fighting on the same side against the Islamic State. Israel
Will 'Kurdish Spring' redraw Middle East map? A critic looks at “Kurdish Spring: A New Map for the Middle East,” a new book by David Phillips that could become a main reference on the Kurdish struggle. Iraq