Analysis Why Saudi Arabia, Egypt are wary of Turkey’s proposed 4-way defense pact with Pakistan The proposed framework faces major hurdles and fault lines, ranging from NATO constraints to Israeli opposition and weak military integration. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Araghchi’s Russia, regional tour tests path to breaking US-Iran deadlock Iranian officials say dialogue remains open, but negotiations are clouded by intensifying hard-line domestic messaging and conflicting signals over Tehran’s red lines. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
IEA delivers grim gas supply forecast as oil notches 15% weekly rise A wave of new LNG supplies will be delayed for at least two years due to war-related damage to Qatari energy infrastructure, according the International Energy Agency's latest market update. Qatar
Why did the Met Opera lose its Saudi funding deal? The deal, announced as a nonbinding memorandum of understanding last September, would have seen the PIF inject up to $200 million into the opera institution over the next eight years. Saudi Arabia
Analysis Israel fears Trump angling for Lebanon deal to offset Iran missteps By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Europe seen as wild card as Iran nuclear deal goes into effect Critics of the nuclear agreement with Iran urge US President Barack Obama to set firm limits on international sanctions relief early on. Iran
The rise of Persian-Arab racial tensions The recent spate of deadly incidents involving Iranians during the hajj leads to ballooning Persian-Arab racism on the Web. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s careful balancing act As Iran gives final approval to move forward with implementing the Iran nuclear deal, it is holding back for now on expanding contacts with the United States to discuss regional crises, wary of US influence and seeking to preserve internal balance. Iran
Will Rouhani end the $15 monthly handout to citizens? Five years after its initiation, monthly cash handouts to citizens continue to burden the Iranian government. Will Rouhani finally end this program? Iran
Zarif calls for talks with Saudi Arabia Speaking with Arab media, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Iran and Saudi Arabia have the same interests and challenges and should work together. Legacy: Gulf
Does Iran even want Russia in Syria? Despite the stepped-up Russian role in Syria, it is still not clear whether Iran views this development in a wholly positive light. Iraq
Iran hard-liners call parliament vote on nuclear deal illegal In a last-ditch effort to oppose the inevitable implementation of the nuclear deal, some Iranian hard-liners are claiming that the parliamentary approval process violated the law. Iran
Iranian stocks continue two-year slump Despite the July 14 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between Iran and six world powers, Iranian shares continue to drop. Iran
Iranian government official promises better economy after nuclear deal An official with the Rouhani administration tells reporters that "there is no doubt" that the economy will improve after Iran's parliament approved the nuclear deal. Iran
Iran's efforts to improve ties with West 'fruitless' without US In the aftermath of the historic nuclear deal, the question arises of whether Iran's rapprochement with the West will once again be limited to improved relations with Europe. Iran
Arrest of Iranian teachers tests Iran-UAE relations The arrest of Iranian teachers working in the UAE has prompted some Iranian officials to call for firmer measures against the UAE. United Arab Emirates
What could 'harsh' Iranian reaction to Riyadh constitute? Amid increasingly heated rhetoric between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the question arises of what a "harsh" reaction that Tehran has warned of may actually entail. Saudi Arabia