Amnesty report timely reminder of Israel's brutal occupation Amnesty International's damning report on violence perpetrated by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank brings back focus on the brutality of the occupation. Palestine
Iraq looks East in foreign policy As disputes between Iraq and the West seem to be on the rise, Baghdad is refocusing its efforts on the “East,” in particular Russia, China and Iran. Iraq
'Youth commission' sparks controversy in Egypt The Egyptian presidency has submitted a proposal to establish a youth commission, yet while some welcomed the move, others considered it merely another attempt by the authorities to control youth movements. Egypt
Gaza political cartoonist faces censorship, death threats A Gaza artist has been threatened for drawing a cartoon that demonized Islamic Jihad. Palestine
Sunni clerics key to resolving Anbar conflict Many Sunni clerics in Anbar have fundamental disagreements with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), and thus may play a key role in resolving the battles there. Iraq
Turkey’s Armenians in crisis over patriarch A rift over the spiritual leadership of Turkey’s Armenian community exposes the Turkish state’s political machinations in dealing with this minority. Turkey
The Erdogan tapes Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his supporters are denying that recordings of conversations between the prime minister and his son are authentic. Turkey
Reformist says Iranian journalists 'defenseless' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, a prominent reformist journalist, chairman of the now-defunct Association of Iranian Journalists and spokesman of the Committee for the Defense of Freedom of the Press, says, “We are still hopeful.” Iran
Russia deals with rise in terrorism linked to Syria, Mideast Fresh terror attacks have made Russia more concerned about the threat of Islamic terrorism and have shaped the country's policy in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
An Iran deal and Israel’s nukes Would a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran put the spotlight on Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program? Israel
Gul goes on defensive over Internet bill Turkey’s President Abdullah Gul responds to the backlash over his support for a controversial Internet law in Turkey. Turkey
China seeks to buy Israeli food company With no proper regulation or restrictions to safeguard Israeli national interests, China multiplies its efforts at taking over leading Israeli companies in the food, insurance and high-tech sectors. Israel
Biblawi’s resignation leaves more questions for Egypt Hazem el-Biblawi's resignation highlights the difficult realities of governing and the uncertainties facing Egypt, and paves the way for Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s candidacy. Egypt
Merkel visits Israel as violence flares on Temple Mount The violent clashes on the Temple Mount and the attack on an arms convoy on its way to Lebanon, both while German Chancellor Angela Merkel was visiting Israel, are warning signs of the current situation's fragility. Palestine
Iraq cannot shake threat from al-Qaeda, ISIS Although the Iraqi government claims its campaign in Anbar is aimed at eradicating terrorism, the threat to the country is actually spreading because of the expansion of foreign jihadist networks based in Syria. Iraq
Syrian children suffer, adapt to war Children at a Syrian field hospital near the Turkish border accept the war as the new normal. Syria
