Lebanon's main prison a hotbed for terrorists Roumieh Prison holds a variety of detainees, including terrorists and radical Islamists who pose a challenge to security in the lockup and in the country. Lebanon
An ancient city waits for tourists in Iran Iran may be experiencing an influx of tourists, but much needs to be done to preserve its ancient history. Iran
Erdogan out, Davutoglu in as AKP leader After 13 years as Justice and Development Party chairman, President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan has handed over the post to his foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu. Turkey
Zahar, Haniyeh pressured Meshaal into cease-fire The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas signals the opening of a great battle over the movement's leadership, between Hamas political bureau chief Khaled Meshaal in Qatar and Gaza leaders such as Mahmoud al-Zahar. Palestine
Syrian women help traumatized children smile again Kindergarten teachers in the Syrian flashpoint city of Zabadani established a center to provide much-needed psychological support for local children. Syria
The evolution of Turkish military's role in politics With the deteriorating situation in Iraq and Syria, the Turkish military is still a force to reckon with for President-elect Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s "New Turkey." Iraq
Is PKK becoming a new Middle East power? Turkey’s Kurdish movement is proving to be the only force resolved to fight the Islamic State, while boosting its political might in Turkey. Syria
Jeddah meeting on IS brings together unlikely allies Members of opposing blocs in the region have been meeting to discuss the need to deal with the threat the Islamic State poses to them and other states, but the United States remains in the lead in confronting the organization. Saudi Arabia
Hamas says most demands met in cease-fire deal Hamas dropped its insistence on an airport and seaport, but approved a final cease-fire that included the lifting of the siege. Palestine
Iran counts $22 billion in forex abuses under Ahmadinejad An Iranian official has claimed that companies made millions taking advantage of Iran's subsidized exchange rate in the final years of the Ahmadinejad administration. Iran
Reports propose compromise for Iran nuclear deal Two proposals by prominent arms-control experts suggest similar compromises: that Iran sacrifice quantity in the short term for quality in the long. Iran
Anti-Israelism, not anti-Semitism, voiced in Europe Does the sometimes virulent criticism of Israel in Europe, and around the world, reflect a rise in anti-Semitism or anti-Israelism? Palestine
Erbil Christians torn between arming themselves or leaving Kurdish officials in Erbil met with a Lebanese delegation headed by Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil and discussed the possibility of establishing a Christian armed brigade to fight the Islamic State in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Iraq
Amerli passes 70 days under siege from IS Youth groups and other activists have staged protests in Baghdad to attract international attention to the suffering of Amerli’s residents, under siege by the Islamic State for 70 days now. Iraq
Was Bibi's image damaged by cease-fire agreement? The Israeli public does not seem convinced by declarations that the cease-fire agreement is an achievement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a defeat for Hamas. Palestine
Hezbollah calls for resistance against IS Hezbollah sources told Al-Monitor that the Islamic State’s attack on Arsal was only the beginning of another series of attacks in parts of Lebanon. Lebanon
