Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum remains in limbo Although not officially canceled, the fifth Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum may not be held this year. Egypt
Netanyahu slammed for exploiting late singer to defend lifestyle It was a mistake for the prime minister's advisers to invoke late Israeli singer Arik Einstein's modesty in trying to defend Netanyahu's extravagant expenditures. Israel
Al-Qaeda emerges amid Egypt’s turmoil Information is emerging that al-Qaeda’s growth in the region is extending into the Sinai Peninsula and across Egypt. Egypt
Israel exploits nature, archaeology for settlement expansion Israeli authorities are exploiting archeological sites and nature reserves to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Palestine
Kerry will find pessimism in Palestine On an upcoming visit to the region, US Secretary of State John Kerry will find that the Palestinians have little faith in the ongoing peace talks Palestine
Bethlehem gets assist from UNESCO for Christmas season UNESCO's recognition of the Church of the Nativity as an Endangered World Heritage site has brought much needed funds to revamp the once-popular tourist destination. Palestine
Hamas summons prominent women's rights activist Gaza's Interior Ministry summoned Nadia Abu Nahla, a prominent feminist activist, raising concerns among human rights and civil society groups operating in Gaza. Palestine
Israeli Bedouin and the limits of tolerating intolerance The debate over relocating Bedouin settlements in Israel raises the issue of how far a liberal, multicultural society should go in tolerating the values of different communities when those values are destructive to the communities. Israel
The other Iranian breakthrough The rhetoric from Iran about Israel is still unacceptable, but the nuclear deal, while not perfect, offers Israel a chance for a diminished Iranian threat. Israel
Somalia's democracy a pleasant surprise The Arab League and the African Union should support the nascent democratic transition in Somalia. Lebanon
Israel’s foreign minister: 'We welcomed the agreement with Syria' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman discusses US-Russian cooperation in the Middle East, Iran and Syria, and US-Israeli ties. Israel
Armed Salafist movement emerges in West Bank Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are all concerned about the changes underway in the West Bank's Salafist movement, which is transforming itself from a welfare organization into an armed terrorist organization. Palestine
Erdogan tries to shake Sisi comparison as elections near The legacy of the Gezi Park protests, the Kurdish opening and tensions with the Gulen movement are generating a disparate opposition to Turkey's prime minister. Turkey
Iraqi politicians fail to convince voters change is possible While all of Iraq’s disparate political factions claim to seek the very change voters are demanding, none so far have taken any action to truly convince their electorates. Iraq
