Ennahda distances itself from Salafists With the approach of the Tunisian elections, some parties are trying to link the Ennahda party to conservative religious groups, although the Islamist party has been distancing itself from Salafists. Tunisia
Tensions over IS resurface in Turkish-US ties Ankara opposes US-supplied weapons going to Syrian Kurds, but has no power to prevent it and has failed to convince Washington that Kobani is of no strategic value. Syria
Iranian-Pakistani border incident reveals deeper problems Skirmishes on the Iranian-Pakistani border are not new, but reveal deeper problems between two large countries that have not capitalized on potential opportunities to improve relations. Iran
Iran acid attacks put 'vice groups' on defensive The acid attacks in Iran have prompted criticism of a proposed law that would provide legal protection to vigilante groups working to discourage "vice." Iran
AKP proposes 'German model' for Turkish police Turkey's latest judicial reform package is an open-ended extension of law enforcement powers, indicating further erosion of the rule of law. Turkey
Could Iraqi National Guard share fate of Sahwa forces? The Iraqi parliament’s decision to establish a National Guard that would include all sects has been criticized by those who consider it an opportunity for terrorists to join the forces and further exacerbate the sectarian tensions in the country. Iraq
Art re-emerges in Gaza As life struggles to return to normal, artists there express the pain and suffering Gaza experienced in the war. Palestine
US rules out ‘shutting down’ economy in Islamic State areas The Treasury Department’s top counterterrorism official said Oct. 23 that the United States is reluctant to make life any harder for people living under IS rule. Iraq
Burns retires, but will consult on Iran negotiations If a long-term nuclear deal with Iran is achieved, it will be in no small measure due to the efforts of Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns. Iran
Is Israel's reputation in decline? The United States and the European Union once regarded Israel's occupation as a temporary evil, but now its settlement expansion is perceived as no less detrimental to the peace process than Palestinian terror. Palestine
The battle to defund Islamic State US-led efforts to reduce revenue streams to the Islamic State are hampered by the group's relationship with Syria and the refusal so far of Qatar and Kuwait to act against financiers targeted by the United States and the United Nations. Gulf
Turkish government aims to restructure military police Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu introduced a new bill to put the gendarmerie under civilian control. Turkey
Did producer lead Al Jazeera coworkers straight to jail? The judge in the trial of three Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt based his verdict on testimony provided during the interrogation of one of the defendants, Baher Mohamed, but the validity of Mohamed's statements is questionable. Egypt
Islamic State sets sights on sea in Lebanon The Islamic State has hopes of connecting with the sea, but to achieve this it must go through Lebanon, which will be a tough fight. Lebanon
Gaza relief efforts overrun by corruption, inefficiency Although the Gaza Strip has received millions from the Palestinian government and international donors, many of those in need have not received any aid while others are cashing in more than they should. Palestine
Iranian-Turkish relations strained over Syrian agendas Turkey's desired outcome in Syria would result in massively scaling back Iran's influence in the region, with Tehran losing its ally in Damascus, Hezbollah confined to Lebanon and Iraq threatened. Iraq
