Will Homs truce be repeated in Aleppo? Hezbollah sources indicate that efforts are underway, including interventions by Iranian and Turkish authorities, to repeat the truce reached in Homs last month in Aleppo. Syria
Turkey's Kurds key to Erdogan's presidency bid The Kurdish movement, uneasy with the stalling of the peace process, may have a card to play in the August presidential elections. Turkey
Why doesn't Netanyahu label price tag attacks as terrorism? Participants of the 14th Herzliya Conference criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for persisting in refusing to define settlers who commit "price tag" attacks as members of a terror organization. Palestine
Why is Jabhat al-Nusra no longer useful to Turkey? The Turkish government may be waking up to its failed Syria policies. Syria
Sisi offers opportunity for renewed Egyptian centrality Under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt has a chance to resume the central role in the Arab world that it lost after the Camp David Accords. Egypt
Syrian Kurds continue to blame Turkey for backing ISIS militants In a report from northeast Syria, Syrian Kurds, locked in a bloody battle with the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), also fear a potential clash with Syrian government forces. Iraq
Khamenei rep: Revolutionary Guard media needs to be accurate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's representative to the Revolutionary Guard has said that some media outlets with ties to the armed forces should tread more cautiously in their coverage. Iran
Do Israeli women deserve their own awards? An initiative to establish a special prize for Israeli women artists provokes a public debate on whether affirmative action helps in advancing women or damages the battle for gender equality. Israel
Ex-Islamic Jihad leader launches new armed group in Gaza A former Islamic Jihad leader has announced the creation of a new “resistance faction” in the Gaza Strip, which has been accused of promoting sectarianism. Palestine
Turkey hopes trade with Iran will double by 2015 In an official visit to Turkey, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani discusses expanded trade ties while continuing to differ on Syria. Turkey
Putin brings China into Middle East strategy Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China highlights the convergence of interests of Moscow and Beijing in the Middle East. Russia
Lapid slams Netanyahu for 'crisis' in US-Israel ties In a landmark speech, Finance Minister Yair Lapid broke ties with right-wing coalition members and laid claim to Israel's center-left. Palestine
Rouhani, critics debate 'path to heaven' President Hassan Rouhani's public battle with hard-line clerics over Iranians' route to heaven is symptomatic of the broader war he faces over his reform efforts. Iran
Egypt Salafist party leader defends decision to back Sisi In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Nader Bakkar, the deputy chairman for media affairs of Egypt's Salafist Nour Party, takes stock after the election of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as president. Egypt
Israeli left's baffling support for Rivlin If former Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin is elected president with support from the Meretz and Labor parties, it will reveal the bankruptcy of Israel's left. Israel
ISIS 'hit and run' tactics reveal Iraqi security weaknesses The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is briefly occupying Sunni neighborhoods then immediately withdrawing, to weaken confidence in Iraqi forces and display its power. Iraq
