Knesset to investigate Gaza operation In an interview with Al-Monitor, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Zeev Elkin explains his decision to open an inquiry of the Gaza operation, in spite of objections from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
West Bank uprisings dampened by PA The Palestinian Authority has maintained its stiff opposition to mass movements and protests, ensuring quiet on the West Bank front despite the war in Gaza. Palestine
White House: UN needs immediate access to Syria site Obama administration officials have said that if the Syrian Government has "nothing to hide" it should grant UN inspectors immediate access to the suspected chemical attack sites Syria
Israel prepares for an international legal assault Israel prepares to face the UN Commission and the private complaints that might be submitted against it in the aftermath of the Gaza incursion, compiling a "defense dossier" with the footage it gathered through the operation days and even testimonies of foreign journalists who covered Gaza. Palestine
Hamas' claims of victory ring hollow Residents of the Gaza Strip cannot ignore the resounding defeat of Hamas, which destroyed their lives without gaining any military achievement. Palestine
First Turkish film to show Armenian genocide wins harsh reception A film by German-Turkish director Fatih Akin on the Armenian genocide is under attack in Turkey even before its release. Turkey
Erdogan plays to base by slighting Armenians Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's history of anti-Semitic remarks and a recent insult directed at Armenians are a tactic to draw votes. Turkey
Najaf takes in Christians displaced by Islamic State The religious authorities in Najaf and Karbala showed their support to displaced minorities, notably Christians from Mosul, and expressed their readiness to offer their help. Iraq
After taking Sinjar, IS draws Iraqi Kurds into full-scale war The rout of peshmerga forces in Sinjar has drawn accusations of abandonment from Yazidis and forced Iraqi Kurdistan to engage the Islamic State just miles from Erbil. Iraq
Rouhani announces new guild for Iran journalists Iran's president has announced plans to open a new guild for journalists, sidestepping the issue of the closure of the previous professional association. Iran
Why did Turkish expats ignore Erdogan's call to vote? Even with intense campaigning in Europe, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan failed to rally Turkish expats to vote in the presidential elections. Turkey
How will the Lebanese military deal with Arsal? The battle in Arsal posed a major challenge to the Lebanese army while the people there waited for a military settlement. Lebanon
Israel's Gaza offensive resurrects Hamas While the peace process has taken a major hit from the war, the survival of the Palestinian unity government is a victory of sorts for the Palestinians. Palestine
Opposition warns of 'worst case scenario' if Erdogan wins The two parties representing Turkish nationalism and Kurdish nationalism have united in their concern that an Erdogan presidency may lead to civil war or disintegration in the country. Turkey
Saudi Arabia and the third Gaza war Saudi Arabia has remained quiet during the current Gaza war, working instead through Egypt. Saudi Arabia
The cult of Erdogan Turkey’s ruling party and its supporters have come to attribute quasi-divine qualities to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, creating a personality cult that reinforces concerns over social peace in Turkey. Turkey
