Iranian Sunni cleric says government asked for help to free soldiers Iran's most prominent Sunni cleric spoke by phone to Al-Monitor about his role in the release of the border guards kidnapped by Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl and the state of Sunnis in Iran. Iran
US rejects Iran's nominee for UN ambassador (Updated) The White House has barred Hamid Aboutalebi from entering the United States after the House and Senate unanimously approved legislation to that effect Iran
Kerry's possible failure opens new, dark era in peace talks Even Menachem Begin did not support annexation of West Bank lands. Palestine
Seymour Hersh gets it wrong on Turkey Seymour Hersh’s claims that Turkey is supporting Jabhat al-Nusra are more fantasy than reality. Syria
Kahlon's comeback doesn't worry Netanyahu Former Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon's popularity after the cell phone reform he championed might be enough to establish a mid-sized party, but his lack of diplomatic or security experience will pit his path to the premiership. Israel
Are the US and Turkey diverging over Syria policy? Seymour Hersh’s recent article implying Turkish support for Jabhat al-Nusra, if nothing else, poses some relevant questions. Syria
Iran sees influence growing in Syria Iranian leaders consider their positions in Syria, including support for both Hezbollah and a political solution, as gaining traction while Western mediation efforts have failed. Lebanon
Does Rouhani administration target critical media? The Iranian government's closing of a hard-line weekly has been welcomed by some Reformists as justified in the interest of a greater media balance. Iran
Report on Renaissance Dam notes concerns for Egypt, Sudan A leaked international expert report on the Renaissance Dam says that Egypt and Sudan have not been given sufficient reassurances about the dam’s impact. Egypt
Iran won’t 'confirm nor deny' Russian oil-for-goods deal The Iranian oil minister's refusal to confirm an alleged Russian oil-for-goods program has increased speculation about the controversial deal condemned by US officials. Russia
Turkey's doctrine of pre-emptive authoritarianism Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s “iron will” is tailor-made for a political culture in which concession is condemned as weakness and authoritarianism is praised as the only way to deal with opponents. Turkey
Erdogan pushes for interest rate cut Boosted by his party's performance in municipal elections, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has renewed pressure on the Central Bank to cut interest rates, but the bank fears premature cuts amid rising inflation could destabilize the economy. Turkey
Mohammed Dahlan to run for Palestinian president In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Jalila Dahlan, the wife of Mohammed Dahlan, has said that her husband intends to run for president should elections be held. Palestine
Israel's Jewish people and the Palestinian public Since its founding, Israel has defined itself as both a Jewish and democratic state, while denying Palestinians their right to self-determination. Palestine
Israeli settlers attack IDF, Palestinians The Palestinians living in the villages near the Yitzhar settlement were not surprised this week at the violence perpetrated by the settlers on IDF soldiers: “If this is what they do to the soldiers, think what they do to us.” Palestine
Syria allegations sink Turkish government morale A slew of allegations that Turkey may have been seeking to provoke a military intervention in Syria, even if untrue, have depressed morale among Turkish bureaucrats. Syria