New Iraqi retirement law full of loopholes After popular protests against very generous retirement plans for Iraqi state officials, a new and better retirement law was passed, but it still has many loopholes. Iraq
Syrian Kurds courting Turkmens Security and the future role of Syrian Turkmens depend on alliance with Kurds. Syria
Saudi activists criticize new counterterror law Some activists fear Saudi Arabia's new counterterrorism law will allow current state practices against human rights and political activists. Saudi Arabia
Egyptians resist through art In the wake of the January 25 Revolution, young Egyptians have turned to art to express their views while freedoms are being severely restricted. Egypt
UNRWA struggles to deliver as poverty rises in Gaza UNRWA has again cut or halted food aid to thousands of Palestinians as it struggles to keep up with rising poverty rates due to the Israeli-Egyptian siege on Gaza and crisis situations elsewhere. Palestine
Zawahri still a dark force in global jihad While the true extent of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri’s influence is difficult to know, he remains an influential figure in jihadist circles. Egypt
High Court's freeze on rabbinical funding: a wake-up call for Lapid The Israeli High Court halted funding of rabbinical colleges until enlisting obligations of the ultra-Orthodox are defined by law, thus highlighting the failure of Finance Minister Yair Lapid to bring about this change. Israel
Facebook chats cause divorce in Gaza Facebook has enabled a new openness in Palestinian society, but also offers temptations of infidelity. Palestine
Egypt filmmaker arrested, beaten as crackdown persists A Western journalist saw Egyptian prison guards beat and threaten to kill filmmaker Hossam al-Meneai, who remains behind bars. Egypt
Hamas unfazed by Fatah outreach to Iran Syria is still a sticky issue between Hamas and both Fatah and Iran. Palestine
Will the Iraqi Jewish archive be off-limits to Jews? The restored Iraqi Jewish archive may soon leave the United States for Baghdad, making this piece of Jewish heritage almost inaccessible to Jews. Iraq
Dutch journalist accused of 'fabricating news' in Egypt In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Dutch reporter Rena Netjes describes the plight of journalists in Egypt and why she had to leave. Egypt
Erdogan government curtails academic freedoms The Turkish government's tightening regulations on the academic code of conduct could be another blow to freedom of expression. Turkey
Journalists become the story in Egypt International and social media coverage may have resulted in improved prison conditions for detained journalists. Qatar
Turkey-Syria border remains vulnerable Increased patrols along the Turkey-Syria border do not provide full security. Syria
Iran nuclear talks could benefit from shift in Israel Would Israel consider a nuclear deal with Iran similar to the 1974 and 1975 Egypt-Israel disengagement agreements? Israel
