No end in sight for Islamic State’s attack on Iraq In addition to targeting Shiites and religious minorities, the Islamic State are also threatening Iraq's Sunnis. Iraq
To stop Hamas, Israel should cut electricity and supplies to Gaza If Israel still wishes to regain its deterrence vis-a-vis Hamas without entering Gaza, it will be left with one option only: shutting off Gaza electricity and closing the crossing points to the 400 daily supply trucks entering the Strip. Palestine
In Zaatari refugee camp, early marriage often trumps school Two-thirds of the school-age population at the Syrian refugee camp in Zaatari, Jordan, are receiving education, but many of those who are not are being pushed by their families into early marriage. Jordan
Israel ignores calls to lift Gaza siege The breakdown of cease-fire talks is largely based on the Israeli government’s reluctance to lift the Gaza siege, which it perceives will give Hamas the impression of winning. Palestine
Anti-Arab sentiment on rise in Turkey Growing protests against Syrian refugees signal changing perceptions toward Arabs in Turkey. Culture & Society
Saudi Arabia seeks Yemen reconciliation to subdue Houthis After months of fierce fighting in Omran, the city fell under the control of armed Houthis, while Saudi Arabia was seeking to achieve national reconciliation in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Did Bibi choose to preserve Hamas to avoid talks with Abbas? In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Knesset member Israel Hasson, a former deputy head of Shin Bet, charges that Prime Minister Netanyahu has chosen to preserve Hamas as part of a strategy to keep Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas weak and unable to negotiate. Palestine
Sunnis do not believe Abadi is solution to Iraq's crises Members of the local council in Anbar province say that replacing Nouri al-Maliki with Haider al-Abadi will not solve the problems Sunnis have endured under Maliki’s rule. Iraq
US begins talks on how to push IS out of Mosul A US official tells Al-Monitor that more US military aid will flow to Iraq once it creates a new government that contains a “critical mass” from each of Iraq’s political parties. Iraq
Iranian airplane crashes expose weaknesses in 'self-sufficiency' Blaming Western sanctions for Iran's airplane crashes is no longer enough, say critics who cite to the dismal safety record of Iran-built planes. Iran
Turkish military police remove statue of PKK militant By court order, Turkish gendarmerie brought down a statue of Mahsum Korkmaz, the PKK militant who took part in this terror group’s first attack on Turkish soil in 1984. Turkey
As IS advances, Syrian rebels reinforce northern strategic town The rebel-held town of Marea in the Aleppo countryside — the last supply line for the rebels to Turkey — is at risk of falling to the Islamic State. Syria
Saudi Arabia toughens stance on jihadist groups Saudi Arabia is responding to widespread accusations that it is supporting extremist groups by publicly toughening its rhetoric against jihadists. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese banks concerned over Hezbollah sanctions bill Lebanese banks are worried that a US bill aiming to increase sanctions on Hezbollah will weaken confidence in the banking sector. Lebanon
Iran cleric: Westernized Iranians no different from IS Iranian cleric Alireza Panahian says that westernized Iranians pose the same threat for the Islamic Republic of Iran as terrorists groups such as the Islamic State. Originals
Iraqi media divided in coverage of IS conflict Iraqi media has failed to provide unbiased coverage of the war with the Islamic State, and has even at times spread false information. Iraq
