Israel sees Palestinian unity as possible casualty of kidnapping As Israel deals with the kidnappings, US-Israel relations are at an all-time low. Palestine
How a Turkish girl broke the heart of a shah In her latest book, Turkish novelist Nazli Eray shares the story of her mother, a woman whose beauty once stunned Middle East elites and left the Iranian shah heartbroken. Iraq
As Iran deal deadline looms, diplomats worried gaps remain A diplomat from the six world powers negotiating with Iran said wide gaps remain on many substantive issues one month before the deal deadline. Iran
Obama's Iraq plan gets bipartisan support on Capitol Hill Proposal to send up to 300 military advisers initially satisfies members of both parties. Iraq
Syria's barrel bombs: an eyewitness account The author documents the aftermath of a barrel bomb attack on civilians in the Bustan al-Qasr neighborhood of Aleppo. Syria
President Obama's long-awaited response to crisis in Iraq The US administration has demonstrated serious concern for Iraq's national unity. Iraq
Senate panel cuts aid to Egypt, Palestinians Senate appropriators voted 25-5 to "send a message." Palestine
Youths' abduction stirs Israeli sympathy for settlers Politicians from both the right and the left are sympathizing with the families of the abducted youths in an unusual wave of empathy from the Israeli public toward the settlers at this moment of national distress. Palestine
Can Syria help defeat ISIS? The Syrian government, which has recently engaged the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) in battle, might share an interest with the United States in defeating the terror organization. Iraq
Aleppo fears new ISIS offensive Syrian regime forces and rebels holed up in Aleppo worry that ISIS' newfound power and advanced military hardware in Iraq will result in a renewed offensive on Aleppo. Iraq
Erdogan’s former bodyguards arrested for espionage Former bodyguards of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan — allegedly Gulenists — have been arrested on charges of espionage, accused of planting bugs in Erdogan’s office. Turkey
Can Iraqi Kurds bank on Turkey? Iraqi Kurdish leaders have been openly talking about independence, but their security situation is precarious, after the fall of Mosul to ISIS militants. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds seize control of key Syria border crossing The Syria-based Democratic Union Party (PYD) fears a return to isolation after a Kurdish rival, the Iraq-based Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), captures the Rabia border crossing. Iraq
Ex-Saddam Baathists unite in Ninevah campaign A member of the Iraqi Baath Party claims that 14 different factions, including the Baathists, were involved in the takeover of Ninevah province on June 10. Iraq
Hamas summer camps for kids include military training Hamas is keen to retain its influence in Palestinian society, and is using its annual summer camps to stay connected with Gaza youth. Palestine
Iran professor sentenced to prison for criticizing nuclear program Outspoken analyst and Tehran University professor Sadegh Zibakalam's sentence is being taken as a warning that there are limits to how much Iranian intellectuals are allowed to question the nuclear program. Iran
