Congress prompts review of high visa rejection rate for Israelis Secretary of State John Kerry ordered the review after receiving letters from lawmakers. Israel
Israel's military revolution The changes in the Middle East have triggered a comprehensive transformation within the IDF, including its strategic doctrine, its battalion layout and the application of intelligence in combat operations. Israel
Is fate of Kurdish issue tied to Erdogan's future? Key Kurdish figures tell Al-Monitor the Kurdistan Workers Party is now the sole representative of the Kurdish people, and that they will not be satisfied simply with recognition of their cultural and linguistic rights. Turkey
Women prominent in coming Iraqi elections Unlike in past elections, many female candidates are running in the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month. Iraq
Turkey criticizes downgraded credit rating Turkey blames its long-standing quarrel with credit rating agencies on hasty misperceptions of its political stability. Turkey
Israel launches first cooperative supermarket The cooperative supermarket, together with the social bank, are first steps in a long-term plan by Israeli social justice activists to make the public into "educated consumers." Israel
Electoral race heats up among Iraq's Sunni factions While the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month approach, competition is fierce among Sunni blocs. Iraq
US releases funds to Iran as IAEA verifies compliance with nuclear deal US officials have stated as a result of the IAEA verifying Iran's compliance with the interim nuclear deal the US has released $450 million to Iran and taken steps to resolve problems Iran allegedly had accessing some funds. Originals
Fate of kidnapped Syrian bishops still unknown As the one-year anniversary of the kidnapping of Bishops Yohanna Ibrahim and Boulos Yazigi in Aleppo approaches, questions persist regarding their fate and the identity of the kidnappers. Lebanon
Iran's UN envoy pick stirs painful US memories Tehran professor and political analyst Sadegh Zibakalam has said that Iran’s nominee for UN envoy stirs memories as painful for Americans as the 1953 coup does for Iranians, but that the issue should not be allowed to derail the nuclear talks. Iran
Sinai tribal leaders lose local support Sinai's tribal leaders are losing influence among their tribes, who largely consider them informants for the sitting government in Egypt. Egypt
Palestinian Central Council to decide on peace talks The Palestinian Central Council, the PLO's second-highest executive body, is expected to make a decision on the extension of the peace talks within the next 10 days. Palestine
Congress balks at war on terror funding for Syria Bipartisan intolerance for Overseas Contingency Operations “slush fund” could jeopardize aid to rebels. Syria
Social media help young Iranian fashion designers Iranian fashion designers use word of mouth and social media to promote their work to middle-class women. Iran
Is Turkey reverting to a 'muhaberat' state? The Turkish prime minister's interference with the judiciary and a new intelligence bill could signal a return to a single-ruler era — the era of the "national chief." Turkey
Lone-wolf attacks on Israeli settlers increase Individual, unorganized Palestinian attacks against Israeli settlers are difficult to prevent and reflect a frustrated Palestinian street. Palestine