Top US Iran negotiator: Onus is on Iran to propose nuclear plan During a senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Iran, under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman urged law makers to hold off on new sanctions until the next round of P5+1 talks are held so the administration could determine if the Iranians were serious about a nuclear deal. Iran
Group with alleged links to Islamic State gathers in Istanbul The release of a video recording, allegedly of a group affiliated with the Islamic State assembling in Istanbul, has created heated controversy. Turkey
Iraq's Fallujah General Hospital caught in crossfire The hospital in Fallujah has been targeted on numerous occasions during the fighting there, says a local doctor as Human Rights Watch releases a report on the matter. Iraq
No laughing matter: Social media mocks AKP’s fight for chastity The Justice and Development Party's (AKP) selective conservatism, aiming at regulating Turkish women’s public space, is loudly disapproved by a minority while the majority doesn’t react. Turkey
Labor Ministry opposes Tehran's proposal for gender segregation Iran's Labor Ministry has warned that the separation of the sexes in Tehran's municipal administration could provoke an international backlash. Iran
Will 'lawfare' define Palestinian-Israeli conflict? In the current Gaza conflict, Israel has the military advantage over Hamas in warfare, but the Palestinians might have an edge in "lawfare." Palestine
US tells Congress new sanctions could derail Iran deal talks US officials defended extending the deadline for reaching an Iran nuclear deal by four months and urged Congress to hold off on actions that could derail the talks. Iran
Kerry: Opportunity for Iran diplomacy cracking open While Kerry has not announced plans to join the P5+1 Iran Nuclear talks, there are hints he might do so despite his aides advising against it. Iran
Iranians, irked by Netanyahu comment, tweet photos of their jeans Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offended many young Iranians by falsely saying in an interview that the citizens of the Islamic Republic were not free to wear jeans or listen to western music. Israel
Muslim Brotherhood's media machinations Although the Muslim Brotherhood complains of media bias favoring Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, their own media apparatus under President Mohammed Morsi was no better. Egypt
Israeli officials: United States chose Qatar over us The Israeli leadership estimates that the cease-fire initiative of US Secretary of State John Kerry responds well to the interests of Qatar, Turkey, Hamas and its own interests with Qatar — but hardly addresses Israel's security needs. Qatar
Israel, Hamas need a mediator Turkey and Qatar advocate Hamas interests, Egypt promotes its own, and the United States has no influence, which is why none of them could offer Israel and Hamas an acceptable cease-fire proposal. Palestine
Turkey, Qatar seek foothold in Gaza talks Turkey and Qatar, having alienated regional powers with their support of Hamas, are finding it hard to gain influence in Gaza cease-fire negotiations. Qatar
To destroy Hamas, Israel should support opposition in Gaza Some in Gaza would like to initiate a popular revolt, as happened in neighboring Egypt, but they can't make it happen without outside support. Palestine
Officials mum on Lebanese soldier's defection to Jabhat al-Nusra Government officials have refrained from directly commenting on news that a soldier has defected from the Lebanese army to join Jabhat al-Nusra. Lebanon
Indyk staffs up to intensify Israeli Palestinian peace push US Middle East peace envoy Martin Indyk has said that the commonly shared goal of the peace talks is a 'final status agreement, not an interim agreement.' Palestine
