Three reasons why Turkey misunderstands ISIS Turkey's creative conspiracy theorists cannot seem to grasp that ISIS is an extremist Islamist actor with genuinely held beliefs and self-defined goals. Near East
Israeli fashion design on the international catwalk Young Israeli fashion designers Sasha Nassar, Dana Muskat and others are following in the footsteps of Alon Livne on their way to the international fashion arena. Israel
Arab startups connect with Silicon Valley Some of the Middle East's fastest growing companies visited the United States in search of advice and inspiration. Lebanon
Israel's old-guard party bosses in decline Israeli politics is undergoing a cleanup process, in which veteran Likud and Labor seniors find themselves out of the game, while new players, such as former minister Moshe Kahlon and ministers Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett form the new political map. Israel
Netanyahu wrong to blame Abbas for kidnapping Israel should rethink its Palestinian prisoner detention policy. Palestine
Fatah leader on kidnappings: 'Everyone is in big trouble now' In an interview with Al-Monitor, senior Fatah official Fares Qadura warns of escalation, saying that everyone knows that Israel will not negotiate a prisoners exchange for the three kidnapped youths. Palestine
Turkey now says no hostage crisis in Mosul The statement by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru that Turkey’s Mosul consulate workers are not hostages of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has confused observers. Iraq
Iranian women protest being barred from stadiums The international men's volleyball league match between Brazil and Iran brought Iranians out to protest the ban on women spectating in stadiums. Iran
Hamas denies role in kidnapping The group's leaders, however, anticipate a severe confrontation with Israel. Palestine
Sistani stresses need for unity over sectarianism in battle for Iraq Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani stresses the need for Iraqis to support the army and avoid sectarianism in battling the current Sunni rebellion sweeping the country. Iraq
A dream come true: Beirut boy meets Spider-Man The nonprofit organization Tamanna makes wishes come true for severely ill children in Lebanon, offering them and their families something to smile about and a respite from illness. Lebanon
Three reasons Lebanon fears ISIS advance The Lebanese are concerned that their country may be the next target of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. Iraq
Financial sector spurs Turkish economic growth Europe’s rising demand for Turkish exports is considered a positive sign for Turkey's economic forecast. Turkey
'Sunni project' needed to fight ISIS, says Mosul governor In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Atheel al-Nujaifi, the governor of Mosul, says that the "Sunni identity was eradicated after the occupation." Iraq
Burns to join Iran nuclear talks in Vienna The United States may merge the bilateral and P5+1 channels to break the logjam in the nuclear talks. Iran
Lebanon’s World Cup 'crisis' A dispute over broadcasting rights has led the Lebanese to temporarily ignore political crises and focus on ways to watch World Cup games. Lebanon
