Turkish Court Confirms Military Coup Attempt In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of Appeals in Ankara upholds the heavy prison sentences to top ex-officers accused of attempting to oust the government in 2003. Turkey
Iraqi Ministry of Culture Curtails Performing Arts With the acting minister of defense also taking on the role of minister of culture, as well as an increasing outcry from religious figures against artistic liberties, arts and culture in Iraq are facing a dire situation. Iraq
Sex Trafficking Open Secret In Northern Cyprus A lawmaker reignites a debate on white-slavery trafficking in Turkish Cyprus, where the smoke screen of the “Las Vegas” myth obscures abuse and suffering. Turkey
Syrian Kurdish Leader Urges Turkey To End Support for Salafists Saleh Muslim, co-chairman of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party, had messages for Ankara in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor. Syria
Three Reasons Why Turkey Is So Polarized The ruling Justice and Development Party can bridge the gaps by not responding to the provocations of the Kemalists. Turkey
Egypt-Gaza Border Quiet Despite Political Rhetoric There is no major military buildup on the Gaza border to suggest Egypt might attack the Hamas-held territory anytime soon. Palestine
London, Tehran Take Historic First Step to Rebuilding Ties A further upgrade in bilateral relations between Iran and the United Kingdom will require action by the Iranian parliament. Iran
Will 'Oct. 10 Revolution' Materialize Against Hezbollah? Secular Shiite opponent of Hezbollah Rami Ollaik has declared his is leading a movement against the party, though many believe nothing will come of it. Lebanon
Iraq's Sunni Protesters Divided Over Government Negotiations The formation of a delegation from the Anbar protests to negotiate with the Iraqi government has been stalled by objections within the protest movement, claiming misrepresentation. Iraq
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef 'Was Willing To Give Back the Temple Mount' David Glass, Shas Party legal adviser, reveals in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef preferred peace to land in dealing with the Palestinians. Palestine
Rabinovitch Says Israel Benefits From US-Russia Deal on Syria Former Israeli ambassador to the US, Itamar Rabinovich, says Israel benefited from the chemical weapons agreement with Syria, but warns of a weakening US position relative to Russia in the region. Israel
Prison Break, Suicide, Bombing Rock Iraqi Kurdistan The Kurdistan Region of Iraq deals with the implications of its first terrorist attack in six years. Iraq
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's Funeral And the Secular Media The massive attendance at the funeral of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef reflects the changes he brought upon Israeli society by building up the political power of Israeli Sephardi Jews. Israel
Golan Heights Students Return To Syria Despite War Despite the war in Syria, some students from the Golan Heights are still crossing back into Syria to continue their university studies. Israel
Iranians React With Anger To Netanyahu Comments While many Western-oriented Iranians mocked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about Iranians not having access to blue jeans, others seemed most angered by his threats to bomb Iran and push for more sanctions. Israel
Erdogan's Frustration Shows Over Syria Deal The Turkish prime minister is questioning John Kerry's praise of Syria’s compliance to date with UN Security Council Resolution 2118. Syria
