Is Hamas' tunnel network still intact? Hamas officials tell Al-Monitor that while Israel inflicted a blow to the tunnel network along the border, their main strategic tunnels are still operational. Palestine
Iran's supreme leader rules out broader engagement with US Iran's supreme leader supports the continuation of the nuclear talks but has criticized bilateral talks between Iranian and US officials. Iran
Will Turkey face another credit rating downgrade? Fitch Ratings has warned of high risks in Turkey, sparking concern that the agency, the first to raise Turkey to investment grade back in 2012, may now be the first to downgrade the country. Turkey
Austerity measures won't save Egyptian economy Although Egyptian officials contend that recent austerity measures are designed to protect the poor in the long term, the immediate burden will fall on low-income households. Egypt
Lebanon a safe haven but Middle Eastern Christians still at risk The arrival of Iraqi Christians in Lebanon is significant, as the country has historically been considered a safe haven for Christians in the Levant, and requires considerable diplomatic support from religious and political authorities in the region. Iraq
Turkey's AKP looks to the future Erdogan wants and will likely see a loyal young generation of leaders take over his Justice and Development Party (AKP). Turkey
Early writings reveal the real Davutoglu In an interview with Al-Monitor, Behlul Ozkan, assistant professor of political science and former student of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, explains how a trove of Davutoglu's writings from the 1990s show how he is an "Islamist ideologue" whose pan-Islamist vision is motivated by power rather than ethics. Israel
In their own words: IDF reservists on war, politics Four IDF reserve soldiers speak to Al-Monitor about going to war as adults, with families to worry about and with more complex political and societal views than those of many young regular soldiers. Israel
Morsi ousted: Egypt army suspends constitution, calls early elections Egypt's military chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the army has stepped in to transfer power from Egypt's Islamist President Mohammad Morsi to a technocratic government ahead of early parliamentary and presidential polls. Egypt
Without Hamas, Israelis and Palestinians can find peace It was terrorist attacks by Hamas from the 1990s until today that ruined any chance of reconciliation with Israel. Thus, only when the Palestinian people come out against Hamas will it be possible to talk about peace. Palestine
Former Shin Bet chief calls for regional conference In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Shin Bet head and current Science Minister Yaakov Peri calls to seize this moment after the Gaza war for a regional diplomatic move involving the Palestinians, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Palestine
Obama misses the mark on Netanyahu Barack Obama’s statement about Benjamin Netanyahu’s internal political strength shows how much Americans fail to understand Israeli politics, with Israel's prime minister at an unprecedented political low point following the Gaza war. Palestine
IS emerges from radical Islamic jurisprudence The Islamic State and other radical groups found their religious underpinnings in the heart of Islamic teachings. Iraq
Obama statement on Egypt avoids 'coup' In a statement on the ouster of Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi Obama refrained from using the term "coup." Egypt
Power outages add to Aleppo’s suffering The electricity network in Aleppo has been severely damaged by the war, with power outages of more than a year in some neighborhoods. Syria
US presses Egypt for swift return to civilian rule, against arbitrary arrests After Convening a meeting with members of his national security team on July 4, President Obama pressed Egyptian Officials to swiftly transition back to civilian rule. Egypt
