Syrian army closes in on Douma after Adra victory Syrian regime forces have scored an important victory by securing the strategic town of Adra in the Damascus countryside, increasing pressure on rebel strongholds in eastern Ghouta. By Mustafa al-Haj
Erdogan's slow turnaround on foreign fighters in Syria US Vice President Joe Biden says "our biggest problem is our allies" in combating foreign fighters; Aleppo battle lines so far unaffected by airstrikes; Israel considers threat from Islamic State. By Week in Review
English-language financial daily debuts in Iran A new English-language financial newspaper in Iran is viewed as a promising sign for the country; however, its success largely depends on the positive outcome of the nuclear talks. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Who will Turkey target in Syria? The Turkish parliament's recent authorization to allow troops to enter Syria has raised questions on whether Turkey will focus on Bashar al-Assad's regime instead of the Islamic State. By Tulin Daloglu
AKP base divided on Turkey's vote to join coalition Pro-government commentators have raised questions over Turkey’s participation in a US-led coalition, while the latest polls show Turks are split on what their country's role should be in fighting the Islamic state. By Semih Idiz
Kobani becomes battle for Kurds' future With the Islamic State siege of Kobani endangering the peace process and the cease-fire between the PKK and the Turkish state, Kurds could soon be facing a host of new challenges. By Onur Burcak Belli
Theater returns to Aleppo amid war Locals in rebel-held Aleppo defied air raids and artillery shells to see the first play to be held in the area since the Syrian uprising began. By Orwoa Kanawati
Israeli war destroys Gaza antiquities Owners of private museums that housed thousands of antiquities continue to survey the damage and looting committed by Israeli forces in the latest conflict. By Mohammed Othman
Iran minister: WhatsApp, Viber shutdown won't solve problem Iran's Communication Minister Mahmoud Vaezi, in response to the judiciary's request to shut down WhatsApp, Viber and Tango, said it would not solve the issue at hand. By Arash Karami
Kuwait targets opposition by revoking citizenship Kuwaiti authorities have revoked the citizenship of a number of key opposition figures in recent months, raising concerns the move is part of a renewed effort to crackdown on dissent. By Mona Kareem
Baghdad hopes for better film festival Iraqi filmgoers are hoping this year’s Baghdad International Film Festival will be an improvement over last year, when low-quality films marred the event. By Shukur Khilkhal
Iraqi scholar burns his books to protest Yazidi ethnic cleansing A well-known Iraqi scholar on Yazidis has burned all the books in his personal library to protest the ethnic cleansing of the minority group. By Ali Mamouri
Supporters accuse Syrian regime of cooperating on airstrikes The Syrian government’s supporters are divided in their views on the US-led strikes against the Islamic State in Syria, with many believing it violates Syria’s national sovereignty and humiliates the country. By A correspondent in Damascus
Erbil, Baghdad strengthen ties in face of Islamic State As the Islamic State continues its relentless campaign in Iraq and Syria, the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government are realizing the benefits of cooperation and compromise. By Mustafa al-Kadhimi
Abbas pushes UN statehood plan forward The Palestinian Authority views Benjamin Netanyahu's government as a hopeless case, so it plans to move forward on four tracks to achieve UN recognition of Palestine by 2015. By Uri Savir
Syrian Kurdish refugees struggle to find affordable housing The violence in Iraq has prompted many Syrian Kurdish refugees who took refuge in northern Iraq to return to their homes in Syria. By Vager Saadullah