What is Turkey up to in northern Syria?

As Turkey advances in northern Syria as part of its Euphrates Shield offensive, taking control of al-Bab and Manbij would give Ankara access to the Aleppo front.

Iraq

Where does US-Tunisian military cooperation end?

Tunisians are opposed to the US-Tunisian military cooperation under the pretext of fighting terrorism, claiming that it undermines the country’s sovereignty and independence.

Libya

Is Yemen headed for partition?

An open-ended cease-fire is needed for Yemen, but a de facto partition of the country is more likely.

Saudi Arabia

Clinton and Trump going all in as Election Day nears

With less than 10 days until Election Day, both major party nominees are campaigning hard in battleground states.

United States

Who will liberate Raqqa?

The United States says a military operation to isolate the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa needs to get underway within weeks, but Turkey as well as Washington’s Syrian Arab allies oppose any plan to use Kurdish forces to take the city.

Iraq

Two Americans detained in tense Tunisia border town

Matters got interesting after two American brothers in their early 30s traveled to a Tunisian town near the Algerian border.

Tunisia

The many dimensions of Mosul, and what comes next

There's much more at play in Mosul than a campaign for its immediate liberation from the Islamic State.

Iraq

How dual nationality became a key controversy in Iran

The issue of dual citizenship is turning into a full-blown political football in Iran, where 35 senior officials have been barred from holding office following probes into their citizenships.

United States

Zarif-Kerry joint prize raises eyebrows in Iran

For Iran's foreign minister, winning an international prize may not be good news as hard-liners could use it as a pretext to attack him.

United States

Is US reconsidering its support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen war?

The recent missile attacks on US vessels off Yemen’s coast as well as the limited US response suggest that Washington may be disengaging from the war in Yemen and putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to follow suit.

Saudi Arabia

Has JASTA pushed Saudi Arabia and Israel closer?

Riyadh has become convinced more than ever that the closer it gets to Tel Aviv, which it believes has influence in US decision-making circles, the stronger and safer it will become in the face of JASTA.

Saudi Arabia

Iran's Rouhani breaks his silence on US presidential race

For the first time, Iran’s moderate president has spoken about the US presidential election — but even his criticism is dismissed by his hard-line opponents.

United States