Egyptian law seeks to control political speech at mosques Egypt’s new Law of Oration has stirred conflicting opinions, as some consider it a government attempt to control religious discourse, while others argue it aims at limiting the use of religion for political reasons. Egypt
Iran judiciary accuses Iran TV of bias The head of Iranian television is facing mounting criticism even from conservative members of the government as his tenure ends this November. Iran
US peace envoy Martin Indyk resigns US Middle East peace envoy Martin Indyk has resigned three months after the collapse of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israel
Hamas leaders in Gaza scramble to avoid Israeli attack Hamas leaders are reaching out to regional allies to try restrain Israel from taking military action in response to the kidnappings. Palestine
Turkey's bonzai drug epidemic Despite harsh legislation and intense police work, synthetic drug abuse is on the rise among low-income Turkish youths, including in conservative neighborhoods. Turkey
AKP seeks to 'legalize' PKK peace talks Turkey’s ruling party has drafted a bill that puts the peace process with the PKK in a legal framework, which is also seen as a means for the AKP to win Kurdish support in the August presidential elections. Turkey
US-Turkish citizens hit with sticker shock over new tax law Turks with US citizenship making profits from the stock market and interest in Turkey are now liable for taxes going back six years. Turkey
Erdogan: 'No one should expect me to provoke ISIS' Turkey pursues a cautious policy while Iraq's military crisis escalates. Iraq
Will Assad reach out to 'national opposition' in Syria? According to Syrian officials, the re-elected President Bashar al-Assad will likely carry messages of reform and rapprochement with the so-called “national opposition” in his July 17 address marking his third term. Syria
Mothers of kidnapped Israelis get cold shoulder at UN After speaking at the UN Human Rights Council, the mother of one of the kidnapped Israeli students lamented, "The world is indifferent; it does not heed our cries." Israel
Would Israel cut a deal with Hamas for kidnapped students? Contrary to the Gilad Shalit kidnapping, when 1,027 Palestinian prisoners were released, the right-wing community of the current kidnapped might not be ready to cut such a deal or give up land to bring the children home. Palestine
Obama wants $500M to train, equip Syrian rebels The White House is requesting that Congress release more money to deal with the crises in Syria and Iraq. Iraq
Iraq’s ambassador to US: war with ISIS 'acid test' of US-Iraq ties Lukman Faily, Iraq’s ambassador to the United States, says that in light of the urgency of the Iraq crisis, “we will not be in a position to choose our partners and whoever is available to help us in our survival war, then we will take that.” Saudi Arabia
House gives Lebanon a pass in Hezbollah sanctions bill The House Foreign Affairs Committee unanimously passed new sanctions on Hezbollah after removing some provisions that might have been harmful to Lebanon's economy. Lebanon
Ramadan an opportunity for peace Ramadan is a time to reflect on the collective pain Muslims are experiencing and explore ways to mend divisions for the greater good. Lebanon
Gender segregation in Israeli schools a social 'disaster' In an interview with Al-Monitor, former education minister, professor Amnon Rubinstein, criticizes both government and opposition for neglecting the issue of higher education accessibility as a tool to narrow social gaps. Israel
