How Israel spies on Sinai Israel recruits Egyptian smugglers in the Sinai Peninsula to perform various missions for Israeli intelligence. Egypt
After nuclear negotiations, what’s next for Iran’s economy? A nuclear deal with the West would mean a huge boost to sanctions-hobbled Iran, especially its petrochemical sector. Iran
Rouhani expresses optimism over nuclear deal at UNGA In his first public appearance at this year’s UN General Assembly, the Iranian president suggested that a nuclear deal would transform US-Iran relations but said that failure to reach agreement by the deadline did not mean that the two countries would automatically revert to the hostility of the past. Iran
Israelis feel betrayed by celebrity rabbi’s corruption Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto's plea bargain has exposed the extent of abuse by Israel's popular rabbis, some of whom have made hundreds of millions of shekels in donations from their followers. Israel
Peshmerga look to restore image after defeats Peshmerga forces are slowly but steadily regaining lost territory to the Islamic State, after initial defeats this summer sent shock waves through Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
What will Turkey do if Russia turns off gas? The risk of Russia cutting gas supplies to Europe amid the Ukraine crisis has exposed Turkey’s energy vulnerability, with Istanbul, its most populous city and main industrial hub, dependent on Russian gas. Turkey
Turkey’s IS predicament with US, Kurds While Turkey dithered about joining the anti-Islamic State coalition, PKK military chief Murat Karayilan said the Kurdish peace process was over, derailed by Ankara's dealings with IS. Syria
Kurds not giving up on education in mother tongue The Kurdish political movement opened three private schools in Turkey to teach in Kurdish, and has no intention of closing them. Turkey
Who’s afraid of a handshake? With President Hassan Rouhani in New York for UN General Assembly, the issue of a possible handshake between Rouhani and the US president is a prime concern in Iranian media. Iran
IS makes plans to fend off attacks on Mosul The Islamic State focuses on preparations to fight off expected attacks to Mosul by identifying secondary locations for headquarters, storing weapons in mosques and planting booby-traps. Iraq
Will Abbas walk the walk on his threats to Israel? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will present his plan to end the Israeli occupation at the UN General Assembly, with PA officials warning they will launch a political campaign against Israel should the plan be rebuffed. Palestine
Israel unprepared for its aging population In an interview with Al-Monitor, Minister of Senior Citizen Affairs Uri Orbach says that Israel is unprepared for the global phenomenon of prolonged lifespans, with too many poor elderly, and must act rapidly to assure pension resources before it's too late. Israel
Lebanon concerned about spillover from US-led airstrikes on IS During the Paris Conference, the Lebanese delegation expressed its concerns that the US-led airstrikes on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria will have repercussions for Lebanon — concerns that foreign ministers tried to alleviate. Lebanon
Tunisian Islamists hire US lobby shop Ennahda has hired PR giant Burson-Marsteller to boost the party's image ahead of next month's elections. Tunisia
Iranian conservative says the US needs Iran In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian conservative Amir Mohebian discussed why he believes Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is pessimistic about the nuclear negotiations, how US policy in the Middle East has benefited Iran and how the United States is now in a position where it needs Iran to deal with regional issues. Iraq
How will Turkey react to stream of Kurdish refugees? Turkey has reportedly received over 130,000 refugees since the Islamic State attacked the northern Syrian town of Kobani. Syria
