Iranian tourists flock to Turkish border towns

While Turkey's tourist industry is affected by Russian and European tourists no longer traveling to its shores in the large numbers seen previously, Iranian tourists party the night away in border towns such as Van.

Turkey

Can Iran's conservatives agree on candidate for upcoming vote?

In Iran, the Principlist camp remains torn by internal strife and continues to fail to agree on a consensus candidate to run against President Hassan Rouhani. Yet, it is too soon to tell whether Rouhani will secure a second term.

Iran

Ahead of presidential vote, Khamenei attacks Rouhani’s economy

During Iranian New Year speeches, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani painted starkly different pictures of the Iranian economy, which is turning out to be a weak spot for the president’s re-election campaign.

Iran

Iraq’s Sunnis eye post-IS future under regional cover

Under Arab and international sponsorship, Iraq’s Sunni leaders recently attended a conference in Turkey to discuss the future of Sunnis in post-IS Iraq, with the conference sparking Shiite outrage and dissent among other Sunni officials opposed to the Turkish role in Iraq.

Iraq

The upcoming Iranian elections you haven’t heard about

As Iran is about to hold city council elections, conservatives are bracing themselves for a fierce competition with Reformists and moderates.

Iran

Khamenei warns against questioning of election results

In his annual Nowruz speech, Iran’s supreme leader urged the government to ramp up domestic production, while calling on ordinary Iranians to purchase locally made goods.

Iran

Gloom surrounds Rouhani’s budget for new Iranian year

Despite the relative stabilization of the Iranian economy, the Rouhani administration has no choice but to seriously address the issues in the budgeting process if it wishes to realize its goals for economic growth.

Iran

Congress races to craft Iran sanctions bills ahead of AIPAC conference

Lawmakers hope to have bipartisan legislation ready when thousands of pro-Israel advocates descend on Capitol Hill next week.

United States

The coming Iran-US confrontation in Iraq

With the operation to seize Mosul from the Islamic State coming to an end, it appears that Iran and the United States are on the path to a showdown in Iraq.

Iraq

Iran’s supreme leader calls for 'economy of resistance' in Nowruz message

As is custom, Iran’s supreme leader and president have issued video messages on the occasion of the Iranian New Year, expressing a need for further focus on economic matters.

Iran

Will Bahrain use military trials against Shiite leader's supporters?

Bahrain recently amended its constitution to expand military courts' jurisdiction, perhaps in anticipation of fiery protests once a verdict is announced in the trial of Sheikh Isa Qassim.

Bahrain

Israel weighs response to Hezbollah rocket threat

For now, deterrence holds on Israel’s northern border; Iran ready to "fight to the last man" in Syria; Why does Erdogan go easy on Putin over Syrian Kurds?

Israel