Islamic State becoming ‘dominant voice’ among global jihadists The United States intensifies military planning against the Islamic State; Syria’s new Cabinet; Israel faces "highly complex reality" in Syria; IS-linked group threatens more terror, beheadings in the Sinai Peninsula; what Egypt lost in the Al Jazeera trial. Egypt
Hezbollah prepares to fight IS in Lebanon The Islamic State and other extremists groups are proliferating along Lebanon's border with Syria. Lebanon
Congress tries to tackle Islamic State before midterm elections A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Sept. 8 Qatar
IAEA report on past Iranian nuke research may hamstring deal The issue of past military dimensions of Iran’s nuclear program continues to hover over negotiations, but there could be a way for Iran to finesse those concerns. Iran
Iranian-Saudi agreement on Iraq may be near While key issues remain, Iran and Saudi Arabia are reportedly close to agreeing on the formation of an Iraqi government, clearing the way to focus on another regional crisis. Saudi Arabia
Adopting Arab Peace Initiative will take time Though a full implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative is currently unrealistic, gradual progress toward the initiative could help establish a Palestinian state. Palestine
Al-Qaeda's Zawahri eyes India but stays silent on Islamic State Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri announced plans to expand his organization into India, but refrained from criticizing the rival Islamic State's advances in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
Why Turkey may not want to join the ICC There is pressure for Turkey to join the International Criminal Court, especially due to the country's EU accession process, but the government has its reasons to resist. Turkey
Is the Islamic State holding Turkey hostage? Prolonged hostage negotiations with the Islamic State are creating serious headaches for the Turkish leadership. Iraq
Could Arqoub be the next Arsal? The large number of displaced Syrians in the Arqoub area has raised concerns about the potential for instability in southern Lebanon instigated by jihadists living among the refugees. Israel
Ayatollah Khamenei urges Iran to prepare for 'new world order' Iran’s supreme leader has said that Western influence in the world is waning and Iran must “prepare ourselves to play a role” in the new order that emerges. Iran
Hands off my child, Turks tell government The latest changes in Turkey’s education system have resulted in chaos and comedy, with many students placed in remote schools and non-Muslim pupils assigned to schools training imams. Turkey
Arab states neglect Al-Aqsa says head of Jerusalem Waqf In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Azzam al-Khatib, head of the Islamic Endowments in Jerusalem, criticized all Arab states, except for Jordan, for their inaction on Israeli violations of the mosque area. Palestine
Pushed aside by war, Israel's social justice agenda returns Despite Operation Protective Edge, large swaths of Israeli society still consider their socioeconomic situation as priority No. 1 and the politicians are listening. Israel
Arab Israeli city fights gun violence After a school principal was murdered in the classroom, the town of Tayibe is backing police efforts to get rid of guns, lessen violence between clans and make schools safe for children. Palestine
Iraqi Shiite forces reinvigorated after Amerli victory After successfully breaking the Islamic State’s siege on the Shiite Turkmen town of Amerli, Iraqi forces are looking to make further advances. Iraq
