Clashes escalate around Damascus Syrian rebels took al-Dukhaniyya last week in a bid to open supply routes to the front line in Jobar. Syria
Davutoglu sets ambitious target for Turkish democracy Developments contradict claims by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that Turkey will become a global power in terms of universal democracy over the next nine years. Turkey
Fight against IS helps PKK gain global legitimacy Western officials say that given the Islamic State threat, it is only a matter of time before their governments initiate formal ties with the Kurdistan Workers Party and the Democratic Union Party, despite objections from Turkey. Syria
Banished Erdogan critics find new home at opposition paper The Sozcu daily, a relative newcomer in the Turkish press, has climbed to the top of the circulation ladder, taking on board senior journalists dumped from other papers for criticizing the government. Turkey
US strikes in Syria won’t turn locals against Islamic State Contrary to widespread belief, the Islamic State has largely succeeded in winning hearts and minds in the areas it rules by providing services and order. Syria
Iraqi Kurds unhappy partners in Abadi's government The Kurdish position in internal Iraqi politics has been weakened by the fight with the Islamic State, resulting in a new Iraqi government that largely ignores their demands. Iraq
Rawabi still controversial among Palestinians Rawabi, the new Palestinian city under construction in the West Bank, has faced criticism from Palestinians, ranging from the involvement of Israeli companies to its design, which largely mimics an Israeli settlement. Palestine
Sherman urges Iran to seize opportunity for nuclear deal US Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman urged diplomats to tell Iran to seize opportunity for a nuclear deal ahead of resumed negotiations in New York. Israel
Why can't Turkey explain its foreign policy? Turkey's hesitation to act against groups such as the Islamic State makes others wonder whether it has an ideological foreign policy. Iraq
Obama needs peace in Syria to defeat IS Syria’s internal opposition says defeating the Islamic State is impossible without finding a solution to Syria’s civil war. Iraq
Headscarf protests resume in Turkey Ambiguous dress code regulations for students have generated angry protests from Islamist Turks — and troubled some secularists as well. Turkey
Are military contractors heading back to Iraq? Private military contractors may be enlisted in large numbers to Iraq to fight the Islamic State. Iraq
Deputy: Qatar's expulsion of Brotherhood won't impact Hamas In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas deputy leader Mousa Abu Marzouk said the provisions of the cease-fire deal with Israel were the most Hamas could achieve from the war, but he also indicated that it expects to obtain more of its demands in upcoming negotiations. Palestine
Opening of Egypt-Sudan border crossing sign of reconciliation The opening of the land port between Egypt and Sudan comes as part of a series of conciliatory steps between the two countries. Egypt
Khamenei: Iran rejected US offer to cooperate against IS Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that despite statements by US officials, it was Iran who had rejected cooperation with the United States against the Islamic State group. Iran
Jordanians divided over anti-IS coalition Jordan’s decision to join the US-led coalition to fight the Islamic State has sparked a heated internal debate over the role the kingdom should play in the alliance. Jordan
