Gazans at risk as winter looms Much of Gaza's water, power and sanitation infrastructure was damaged in the recent conflict, and repairs are taking time, which has left Gazans looking for alternatives to get through what could be a long, cold winter. Palestine
Syrian youth revive street performances Young Syrian musicians perform on the streets of Damascus to engage passersby, despite the security crackdowns. Syria
Ankara struggles to maintain bearings in Kobani The Turkish government has been compelled to change track under US pressure and the need to undo the international perception that Turkey supports the Islamic State. Iraq
Are relations between Iran, Egypt warming? The rise of the Islamic State as a common enemy threatening Muslims from all sects explains the possible rapprochement between Iran and Egypt. Egypt
Israeli soccer team honors alleged spy for Hezbollah In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesperson of Israel's Bnei Sakhnin soccer team explains that it honored former Knesset member Azmi Bishara because he facilitated Qatari financial support. Qatar
Turkey challenges Egypt with new Islamic university The Turkish decision to build an Islamic university similar to Al-Azhar has escalated the already tense relations between Cairo and Ankara. Egypt
Have the Kurds played their cards wrong on Kobani protests? The members of the Wise People council sound contradictory when addressing the future of the peace talks. Syria
What do Kobani airdrops mean for regional politics? The United States is likely to use its new leverage on the PYD to goad it into opposing Assad. Syria
Hamas, Israel prepare for new prisoner exchange deal Signs are showing of a new prisoner/detainee swap between Israel and Hamas as part of the truce signed in Cairo. Palestine
Will Ehud Barak return to politics? Labor party activists, who met recently with former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, believe that he is the only person able to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Lebanese army struggles for financing Without a proper budget and new weapons procurement, the Lebanese army faces an uphill struggle in combating terrorism and securing the country. Why then have recent international donations not materialized? Lebanon
Egypt's religious conversion controversy With the alleged kidnappings of priests’ wives and forced conversions to Islam, Christian and Muslim leaders are renewing efforts to restore official counseling sessions for those wishing to change their religion. Egypt
Mustafa Barghouti: US-Palestinian ties strong In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Palestinian Minister Mustafa Barghouti says that the US commitment to the Palestinian Authority's survival will withstand the Palestinian initiative of seeking UN recognition. Palestine
4 arrested in acid attacks on Iranian women Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the recent acid attacks on women in Esfahan, Iran. Iran
Rain batters Syrian refugee camps as winter looms Displaced Syrians living in refugee camps are dreading winter as they dig their tents out from under the recent flooding. Syria
Gulen community should return to civil society The Gulen community should acknowledge that its strategy of building cadres within the state has backfired, jeopardizing the very realm of civil society this strategy intended to safeguard. Turkey
