Bibi turns focus to Israel’s southern voters Nowadays, Israeli politicians frequently travel to the south of Israel, demonstrating their support of residents who live close to the Gaza Strip and criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while scoring political points. Israel
Iraq regroups under Abadi As Iraq's new prime minister assembles his administration, international support offers hope for Iraq's fight against the Islamic State and the destructive sectarianism that enabled the advance of terror. Iraq
Did Ankara miss its chance to head off the Islamic State? Turkey deeply misunderstood the Islamic State's potential and early alliances, and now faces a monster some say it fostered. Syria
Egypt cracks down on human rights groups As a Human Rights Watch delegation is denied entry to Egypt, the country's own human and civil rights groups face the threat of dissolution by the government. Egypt
Jerusalem culture nights under fire When Gaza war erupted, the organizers of the Jerusalem Season of Culture decided to cancel most of its events, and to create, in their stead, exceptional content that corresponds with the security situation and internal Israeli conflicts. Palestine
Southern Israeli city of Sderot is tired of cease-fires Fourteen years of rockets have bred hard feelings in the southern Israeli city of Sderot — which range from despair to utter despair — with residents actually hoping for a continuation of the battles, and frustration over the fact that the IDF did not conquer the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Egypt protests As millions of Egyptian protesters celebrated as the Egyptian army's deadline passed for Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to respond to protesters' demands, a top foreign policy advisor to Morsi, warned that what is happening in Egypt is a military coup. Egypt
How Haider al-Abadi became Iraq's next prime minister Iranian officials helped lay the groundwork for the appointment of Iraq's new prime minister-designate. Iraq
Israel's US envoy Michael Oren to step down Israel's ambassador to the United States Michael Oren will step down in the fall after four years in the post; he may be replaced by Ron Dermer Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's political advisor. Israel
Syrian refugees under attack in Turkey In Turkey's southeast city of Gaziantep, the murder of a Turkish landlord by his Syrian tenant has sparked protests and anti-Syrian violence, and the city struggles to restore calm. Syria
Iran, US try volleyball diplomacy Iran’s national volleyball team gets a warm reception in “Tehrangeles” in another first for US-Iran relations. Iran
Ex envoys Wisner, Kurtzer: What the US should do now in Egypt former Egypt Daniel Kurtzer and former US diplomat Frank Wisner have said that the US did not recognize that Mohammed Morsi did not respect democratic institutions. Egypt
Who's responsible for what happened in Gaza? Israel’s policy of strangling the Gaza Strip while ignoring Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is what strengthened Hamas; thus, any agreement that will be reached in Cairo will be viewed by the Israeli public as surrendering to terror, even if its terms appear in previous agreements signed by Israel. Palestine
Lapid sets up separate communication channel with US While the Israeli prime minister blames the US administration and the IDF for his political failure in the Gaza incursion, US officials prefer to communicate with Finance Minister Yair Lapid or Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Palestine
Iran’s oil minister accuses former officials of $2.7 billion oil fraud Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh has claimed that former ministers under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's administration cooperated with billionaire Babak Zanjani to steal $2.7 billion in government money. Iran
Arsal battle brings Syrian refugee issue to the fore in Lebanon Since the Arsal battle, Lebanon has been taking a new look at its Syrian refugee crisis, which it has been struggling with for years. Lebanon
