Netanyahu hangs hopes on US midterm elections Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mistakenly believes that a Republican US Congress would pressure President Barack Obama to change his policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Turkish Central Bank fails to combat inflation The governor of Turkey's Central Bank has done well in financial stability, but time is running out for him to control inflation. Turkey
Lebanon's army latest victim of Syria spillover The Lebanese army is facing its worst challenge since the end of the civil war in 1990, with many defectors threatening the military establishment's unity. Lebanon
Erdogan angles to tag Gulenists as a national security threat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to include the Gulenist movement as a national security threat to Turkey. Turkey
Travel challenges for Gazans fuel frustration A Palestinian journalist is one of many Palestinians who are subjected to discriminatory policies at the Rafah border crossing, to get to Cairo International Airport and board an international flight. Palestine
Gazans speak of severe hardship after war Two Gazans, a housewife and university student, tell of their daily struggles to pick up the pieces after the last war shattered their lives. Palestine
Iran media, activists criticize Turkey's Kobani stance While Iranian authorities maintain strict red lines for national security issues, media reactions to Turkey's inaction in Kobani reveals Iran's tensions with Turkey over its Syria policy. Syria
Nuclear deadline extension could lead to Iran's economic growth A long-term temporary nuclear deal rather than a permanent one seems most likely between Iran and the six world powers. Iran
IS threat unlikely to help US, Russia bridge divide A common fear of the Islamic State does not appear to be enough for the United States and Russia to resolve their differences over Ukraine and other issues, despite positive signs from a meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Paris. Iraq
Who will Turkey 'train and equip' in Syria? Turkey reportedly to train mostly Turkmen force, primarily to oppose Bashar al-Assad, not Islamic State; Al-Monitor Syria Pulse correspondents report on fighting in Aleppo and Daraa; Why did Assad dismiss his top security official? Syria
Navy exercises bring Iran, China closer The joint exercises between the Iranian and Chinese navies signals a step toward closer ties, as well as a possible future challenge to American naval dominance in the Persian Gulf. Iran
'Rice pill' cheap killer in Iran Iranian authorities are warning people to not take aluminium phosphide pills, known as rice pills, as a quick means to suicide. Iran
Syrian war changes Turkish border towns In Turkey's Hatay province, Islamic State militants have come to impact the daily lives of Turkish residents. Syria
Mideast conflict needs Scandinavian drive Scandinavian experience at peacemaking and human rights could again prove useful at jump-starting the deadlocked Israel-Palestine negotiations. Palestine
UN vote confirms Turkey's waning influence Ankara’s failure to win a seat on the UN Security Council adds grist to the mill of those who argue that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu have left Turkey with few friends in the world. Turkey
Rabin's son says Israelis ready for regional agreement In an interview with Al-Monitor shortly before the commemoration of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination, his son Yuval Rabin called for a regional agreement. Israel
