Peres says Netanyahu 'stopped' peace talks in 2011 On the eve of his departure from office, President Shimon Peres has revealed that three years ago, he brokered an agreement with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, only to be rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Mental illness soars in Gaza Large numbers of Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from psychological problems as a result of the dire economic and security situation, with few resources for treatment. Palestine
Netanyahu campaigning early for next term Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues his assault on the left. Palestine
Aleppo's rebel fighters disillusioned with war Rebel fighters in Aleppo look to Homs as a potential model for a cease-fire to end the war in the city. Syria
Iran’s former intelligence minister discusses clash with Ahmadinejad Former Iranian Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi has commented on his near-firing by former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a conflict that revealed deep divisions between Iran’s conservatives. Iran
Sinai residents complain of violations by Egypt army Sinai civilians claim they are bearing the brunt of the Egyptian army’s war on terror in the peninsula. Egypt
Hakim calls for return of Iraq's National Alliance The leader of the Iraq Citizen Coalition is calling for a renewed National Alliance among Iraq's Shiite political parties. Iraq
Fringe ultra-Orthodox sect mourns Israel Independence Day Unlike most of the ultra-Orthodox, who tacitly accept Israel and its governing institutions, this small extremist group openly commemorates Israel's independence as a day of grief. Israel
Defense bill calls for military pacts with Gulf states House Republicans unveiled a defense bill that calls for military agreements with Gulf Cooperation Council nations to deter Iran, although some are nervous that pressing for status of forces arrangements could backfire. Gulf
Syrian Kurd leader urges Turkey to join fight against jihadists In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim says his Democratic Union Party will not participate in Syria’s presidential elections, and questions why the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq is not helping Syria’s Kurds. Iraq
Israel's halfhearted independence celebration Israel is losing its modest and secular character in favor of a more religious and material society. Palestine
Does Erdogan really want Gulen in Turkey? Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan is calling for Fethullah Gulen's extradition from the United States to Turkey, but he should be careful what he wishes for. Turkey
Egyptian women scared to speak out against sexual harassment Sexual harassment leads all crimes against Egyptian women, and experts say it is abetted by toothless laws, lax enforcement and societal acceptance of the phenomenon. Egypt
Egyptian TV inflames divisive politics Some political talk shows in Egypt are contributing to the country's bitter polarization. Egypt
Attacks on Lebanese patriarch’s Jerusalem visit unjustified Media attacks against Lebanon Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai’s upcoming visit to Jerusalem are based on an antiquated logic, and may be aimed at diverting attention from other issues. Lebanon
Former IRGC commander’s comments on Syria censored After a former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corp commented about Hezbollah and the formation of an Iranian committee to help rebuild Syria, the story was censored and the article removed. Iran
