Abbas' fortunes turn around after Gaza war Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has seen a boost in recent opinion polls as events turn his way, including Sweden’s recognition of Palestine, the Gaza donor conference and the progress of the national unity government. Palestine
Syrian regime takes advantage of coalition strikes While the world focuses on the Islamic State, the Syrian army is making significant gains in Damascus and Aleppo. Syria
US sees progress on Iran nuclear deal As trilateral talks conclude in Vienna, the United States claims progress toward a nuclear deal with Iran but problems remain. Congress
Frenemies: the insincere alliance between US, Turkey While Ankara and Washington maintain there's “no discrepancy” between Turkey and the United States over fighting the Islamic State, it's quite clear there's a huge chasm between them. Turkey
Kurdish riots overshadow Fitch’s Turkey rating Deadly protests in Turkey over the siege of Kobani led to a shock at financial markets despite the good news of Fitch affirming the country’s investment grade. Turkey
Erdogan’s blame game holding Turkey back Given President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's constant blaming of the West, the Kurds and other targets of convenience, it's unlikely that the Turkish public can ever reach a broad consensus on how to solve Turkey's problems. Turkey
Syrian rebels eye capital after gains in south Syrian rebels continue to make significant inroads in the country’s south as the Syrian government focuses on key battles in Damascus. Syria
Houthi victories in Yemen make Saudi Arabia nervous The rapid victories of the Shiite Houthi group in Yemen make Saudi Arabia worry that Iran is surrounding the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Social revolution and the new Negev pioneers The third anniversary of the social justice movement was marked in Sheizaf with great satisfaction: A young, flourishing community has been established in the Negev Desert and several education and development plans are in store. Israel
Israeli social justice protests still alive, just not in streets In an interview with Al-Monitor, social activist Itzik Alrov argues that even though people don't take to the streets to protest, as they did in the summer of 2011, they keep watch on the distortions of price centralization and expect the government to intervene. Israel
IS sent warning letters to Middle East embassies Iran's deputy foreign minister has said that the Islamic State sent letters to embassies warning them not to attack the group and that the United States notified Iran and Syria that its coalition would not target Syrian bases. Iraq
Common enemy brings Iran, Saudi Arabia closer Relations between Saudi Arabia and the Shiite movements in Yemen, namely the Houthis, have fluctuated over the years but may turn into a Saudi-Iranian rapprochement as a common enemy threatens both sides. Saudi Arabia
Egypt initiates plan to ensure food security Egypt plans to cultivate 4 million acres of strategic crops for its large population, but water scarcity and a lack of funds raise doubts about its feasibility. Egypt
Corruption plagues Iraqi TV, film industry The poor production quality of the Iraqi entertainment industry is the direct result of mismanagement made intractable by rampant corruption. Iraq
Yemen’s Houthis draw the attention of Iraqis The Houthis in Yemen recently made the Iraqi headlines, as some consider that there are measures to direct the media toward the support of Shiite parties outside Iraq after internal failures. Saudi Arabia
Will Gaza donors conference encourage multilateral talks? The Gaza donors conference, the third of its kind, is different from the two previous meetings in that the host has called on Israel to embrace the Arab Peace Initiative and join a multilateral negotiation track. Palestine
