Kurdish activist violence brings Kobani conflict to Turkish streets By promoting violent activism, the Kurdistan Workers Party is pressuring the Turkish government, while restricting the state to responding with narratives instead of military measures. Syria
Kobani is becoming Turkey's war Turks are fighting on both sides of the Islamic State-YPG battle for Kobani, but increasing numbers of Kurdish fighters, including women, are coming from Turkey to join the battle. Syria
Questions arise over Egypt's proposed Nile shipping lane Egyptian experts say a project to add a navigation lane to the Nile River, linking Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea, is almost impossible to achieve. Egypt
Egypt's disabled marginalized by government The situation of disabled Egyptians is not improving and may further deteriorate with the prime minister’s decision to affiliate the National Council for Disability Affairs with the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Egypt
Cracks in American Jewish community's support for Israel The constant attacks by the Israeli government against the US administration are slowly weakening the US Jewish community's traditional support for Israel, especially among the younger generation. Israel
Gaza civil servants' salaries remain unpaid The Palestinian national reconciliation government is suffering from a deficit that poses a challenge to the payment of the salaries of Gaza's government workers. Palestine
Egypt aims to produce 20% of power from renewables by 2020 Egypt has conducted feasibility studies for the construction of solar power plants that could not only help cover its energy needs, but become an exportable commodity. Egypt
Swedish decision to recognize Palestine no surprise Sweden's decision to recognize the State of Palestine will boost the Palestinians' bid for recognition by other countries. Palestine
Former US diplomat fosters US-Iran ties behind the scenes William Luers has spent years pursuing a quiet “track 2” dialogue bringing American and Iranian officials and scholars together, some of whom have close ties to officials in the Rouhani administration. Iran
Biden's apology won't spur Turkey to action in Syria While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems satisfied with US Vice President Joe Biden's apology, Turkey remains a reluctant ally in the fight against the Islamic State. Syria
Syrian regime ignores supporters' rising anger Anger among pro-government supporters spilled into protests in Homs last week after two deadly suicide bombings, but the Syrian government remains indifferent to their complaints. Syria
Turkey's leaders see Kobani as opportunity, not threat The fall of Kobani would deal a severe blow to Kurdish independence hopes and bolster Turkey's political goals. Syria
Israel's war with the US As Israel-US ties continue to deteriorate, Israel is dealing with two other fronts: the Lebanese border where an explosive device just wounded two soldiers, and the mysterious explosion at the Parchin nuclear plant in Iran. Israel
Assad, not Islamic State, in Ankara’s crosshairs Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is trying to convince Washington that the real enemy is the Syrian regime, but appears to be failing to do so as the US-led coalition keeps its focus on the Islamic State. Syria
Reformist analyst: Rouhani has no strategy Prominent former Iranian politician Ebrahim Asgharzadeh has said that one of the main issues of President Hassan Rouhani's administration is the lack of a strategy to implement his stated political goals. Iran
No exit for Iraq without decentralization Iraq’s failure to abide by its constitution, which stipulates federalism with greater powers for provinces, is part of the reason why it is in turmoil today. Iraq
