Route to Mecca shortened for Arab Israelis Arab-Israeli pilgrims can now fly from Israel via Jordan to Mecca, without a long and expensive stopover in Amman. By Doron Peskin
Turkey's military actions in Syria will be on its own terms While Turkey's parliament has passed an authorization to send troops into Syrian or Iraqi territory, the country's plans may not dovetail with those of the anti-Islamic State coalition's. By Cengiz Candar
Turkish markets undergo two-month slump A series of domestic and external risks, coupled with the global surge of the dollar, spur an alarming downturn in the Turkish economy. By Mehmet Cetingulec
Secular Turkey to build an 'International Islamic University' Turkey’s International Islamic University could be a meaningful contribution to the Islamic world, but only if it is not dominated by the ultra-conservative school of jurisprudence and theology. By Mustafa Akyol
Despite diplomatic stalemate, Livni clings to her seat Despite being a strong public advocate for peace, Tzipi Livni remains a member of an Israeli government hostile to the diplomatic process with the Palestinians. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Rich kids of Tehran A new Instagram account documenting the lives of Iran's young elite reveals the extreme wealth of the newly rich. By Holly Dagres
Iran official says satellite jamming can cause cancer An Iranian official has said that the practice of jamming satellites can cause cancer and recommended that Iran's jamming efforts be eliminated. By Arash Karami
Banks remain fearful of US-approved transfers to Iran An Iranian-American doctor tells Al-Monitor that his charity’s efforts to send money to Iran for an orphanage led to his US bank account being closed. By Barbara Slavin
Hamas evasive on Gaza's new popular army The recent announcement by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades to form a popular army in Gaza has raised concerns in Fatah, which considers the move harmful to the Palestinian reconciliation process. By Adnan Abu Amer
Creativity needed to break Israeli-Palestinian logjam The Palestinian leadership has given up on trying to convince the Israeli public of the need for peace, but what options does it have without resorting to violence? By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
IDF chief of staff speaks out on IS, Syria, Iran Chief of Staff Benny Gantz does not exclude the possibility that in the future, Israel will have to deal with the Islamic State, saying, "If they would take us on, they would fail." By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Israel should create 'Marshall Plan' for Gaza Israel should seek a regional alliance — supported by the European Union, Russia, United Nations and United States — to enable the creation of a Palestinian state and peace between Israel and most neighboring countries, and form a strong axis to fight radical Islam. By Ami Ayalon
Israel braces for conflict as Yom Kippur, Eid al-Adha coincide With this year's Yom Kippur and Eid al-Adha falling on the same day, Jewish and Arab leaders are pleading with the two sides not to repeat past clashes and allow each other to observe the holy day peacefully. By Daniel Ben Simon
Turks rumored to be joining the Islamic State According to a new poll, an overwhelming majority of Turks are totally opposed to the Islamic State, yet some Turks are likely joining IS ranks. By Tulin Daloglu
Hama maintains its calm amid Syrian storm Hama, a hotbed of opposition against the Syrian regime, has learned from its experience in the 1980s and stayed out of the armed rebellion, so far sparing the city the destruction witnessed elsewhere. By Khaled Atallah
Salafist danger spawns pan-Shiite solidarity Rising incitement against Shiites by Salafist forces has prompted solidarity among the various sects of Shiite Islam. By Ali Mamouri