Abbas returns to warm welcome after resisting US pressure Thousands rallied in the West Bank upon the return of President Mahmoud Abbas from the United States, lauding his refusal to accede to US demands on peace talks with Israel. Palestine
The woman who holds the key to Olmert's fate As Ehud Olmert's former chief of staff, Shula Zaken has decided to unravel evidence which might incriminate the former prime minister for corruption, after realizing that he left her legally unprotected while covering his end in this long legal battlefield. Israel
Former US Syria envoy: Assad more cohesive than opposition In his first major public appearance since retiring from the State Department, Robert Ford said both the United States and the Syrian opposition need to change strategies to counter the Assad regime and its external backers. Syria
Twitter blocked, Turkish users say The US Department of State is "very concerned by any suggestion that social media sites could be shut down.” Turkey
AKP stymies parliamentary inquiry into corruption Justice and Development Party members, who control the majority in parliament, reject the opposition's request to have the indictments be read out in full. Turkey
Artists in Nile Project try to bridge political divisions Artists from Nile Basin countries are collaborating on a musical initiative called the Nile Project, with the aim of reducing tensions over water-sharing disputes. Egypt
One Arab woman in Israel Independence Day event Of 14 women, only one Arab will be among those participating in the traditional torch-lighting ceremony. Israel
Saudi law targets Brotherhood sympathizers The new Saudi laws targeting Islamist groups in the kingdom are part of a push to ensure local sympathizers with the Muslim Brotherhood don't challenge the royal family's regional policies. Gulf
Sisi's call for austerity falls flat with Egyptians While Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has recently called on Egyptians to embrace austerity, some question whether state officials will also have to cut down on their opulent spending. Egypt
Saudi Arabia cracks down on Twitter The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has turned its attention to political dissent on Twitter. Gulf
Israeli immigrants divided on Russia, Ukraine Israelis of Russian-Ukrainian-Belarus origins are divided between those who support Russian President Vladimir Putin, those opting for the democratic Ukrainian revolt and those claiming that the new Ukrainian forces are anti-Semites. Israel
Erdogan’s great patriotic war A recent video produced by the Justice and Development Party reveals an intense nationalistic vibe. Turkey
Israel's defense minister speaks his mind about US Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon's urge to vent his frustration in public is harming US-Israel ties. Palestine
Saudi Shiite clerics reject violence, call for political dialogue A statement by Saudi Shiite clerics rejecting armed violence against the state has been welcomed in Gulf media. Saudi Arabia
Israel DM Ya'alon clarifies his comments on US (updated) Israeli Defense Minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya’alon has called US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and clarified his earlier statement where he described the US as weak; Hagel responded by expressing concern over his remarks. Originals
Israel's envoy courts liberal Democrats on Iran Israel’s new ambassador to Washington is courting some of the most liberal Democrats in Congress in an effort to push the Obama administration to toughen its negotiating stance with Iran. Israel
