Can social media sway Egypt's youth vote? The current presidential election campaigns in Egypt have witnessed an unprecedented use of the Internet and social media as a means of targeting young voters. Egypt
Iraq faces challenge to find solution for growing slums With Baghdad’s slums accommodating more than 2 million people, a solution to the housing crisis needs to be part of an urban planning strategy, something that previous governments ignored when distributing land to the poor. Iraq
Lebanon’s migrant workers demand rights Although migrant workers in Lebanon are offered little legal protection, a number of associations and activists are working to improve their situation. Lebanon
Syrian opposition gets boost from Obama administration The State Department received some praise from Capitol Hill after upgrading the Syrian opposition's status and releasing an additional $27 million in nonlethal assistance. Syria
Iraqi Kurdish parties court Islamists Islamic parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq represent the swing vote in the region’s stalemated political process. Iraq
On Independence Day, Netanyahu caves to right wing To ensure his seat and his political future, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopts the bill defining Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, raising “a white flag of surrender to the right wing and the settlers.” Palestine
Iran seeks Shiite consensus on next Iraqi premier Iran would prefer that Nouri al-Maliki serve a third term as Iraqi prime minister, but will also give priority to a consensus among the Iraqi Shiite parties. Iraq
PKK kidnappings backfire among Turkey's Kurds Sinan Bockum, 15, has safely returned after being kidnapped by the Kurdistan Workers Party following protests by his family, but others are still held hostage. Turkey
Syrian girls forced to marry ISIS fighters The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham is forcing Syrian girls to marry its foreign fighters. Syria
Hamas' Abu Marzouk says recognizing Israel a 'red line' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mousa Abu Marzouk, deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau, said that although it "will not recognize Israel ... Hamas will not burden the next government's success with hurdles and obstacles." Palestine
Israel, at 66, losing its creative national spirit Once a young, creative and peace-aspiring country, Israel is missing the spirit that animated its founders. Palestine
Palestinian diaspora needs unity deal The Palestinian reconciliation deal could provide an opportunity for the divided Palestinian diaspora to heal rifts. Palestine
Fallen soldiers memorial and the Israeli ethos On the eve of Israel's memorial day for its fallen soldiers, a cornerstone was laid for a national memorial hall, evoking once more the debate over a common narrative of Israeli wars. Israel
'We're Worried' conference against nuclear deal stirs backlash Critics of the Iranian nuclear deal held a conference to voice their opposition, but many opponents ran with the theme to air concerns of their own. Iran
Turkish trade unions in death throes Restrictive laws and government hostility have crippled Turkey’s once-mighty labor movement, which made a poor showing this May Day. Turkey
Former Ahmadinejad minister: Ahmadinejad used to lie Parviz Kazemi, minister for former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has revealed some tactics of the former president. Iran
