Congress (mostly) signs off on Palestinian aid Two Democratic lawmakers have singled out Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as the reason they are holding up the release of funds for an aid package to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Palestine
Russia balances relations with Israelis, Palestinians Russia and Israel appear able to compartmentalize their differences, including their approaches to the Palestinian cause, while improving bilateral relations. Palestine
US tries to head off Israeli-Palestinian 'Al-Aqsa war' While right-wing settlers and extremist Palestinians ponder a ''war of zealots,'' the Obama administration considers a tactical deal, including an Israeli settlement freeze in exchange for Palestinian security cooperation and no unilateral moves at the UN. Palestine
New Arabic site provides Israeli news by Jewish, Arab reporters In an interview, Shimrit Meir, editor of Al-Masdar, talks about the recently launched website backed by the Israel Project in which Jewish and Arab reporters attempt to reveal Israel's complex reality. Israel
Davutoglu's gestures fall short of Alevi demands Turkey’s prime minister seeks a fresh “opening” with the Alevi community, but his gestures are far from meeting fundamental Alevi demands. Turkey
Turkish noncommissioned officers fight for their rights Turkish noncommissioned officers are standing up to the high military command for their rights — and they appear to be winning. Turkey
Long-awaited Bekaa Valley security plan implemented The Lebanese army has implemented a security plan in the predominantly Shiite areas in the northern Bekaa Valley, amid increasing kidnappings, thefts and killings. Lebanon
IRGC commander says US not reliable Some Iranian conservatives feel that Iran has not received fair terms under the nuclear extensions. Iran
Controversial Knesset bills could revoke citizenship Parallel to several bills proposing to revoke the residency or the social rights of people convicted of terrorism, Israeli Interior Minister Gilad Erdan decided to revoke the residency of a man convicted of driving a suicide bomber in 2001, even after he served his jail time. Israel
Israel satisfied with delay in Iran nuclear deal Following months of meetings with European and US leaders and with intelligence experts, Israel is relieved by the fact that the talks with Iran were extended and that the negotiated deal draft was not signed yet. Israel
Despite Netanyahu, PA continues security cooperation with Israel In an interview with Al-Monitor, Adnan al-Damiri, the Palestinian Authority security services spokesman, claims that the Israeli leadership chooses to ignore the tight security cooperation in the West Bank for political reasons. Palestine
Iraq looks to tackle problem of adult illiteracy As Iraq’s population has been struggling with conflict and drought since the 1980s, many older, illiterate Iraqis are now trying to learn how to read and write under challenging circumstances. Iraq
Amid war, Damascenes promote cycling with mass bike ride The war did not stop local activists in Damascus from organizing a public bike ride aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of cycling as an alternative means of transportation. Syria
Lebanon may lose either judiciary or legislative branch The Lebanese state will face a tough dilemma in the coming weeks: Either the Constitutional Council falls in the trap of accepting the latest extension of parliament or the Lebanese parliament falls. Lebanon
Israel's nationality bill threatens agreement with PLO The PLO has served notice that passage of the Israeli nationality bill endangers its mutual recognition agreement with Israel and the foundation of the current relative peace. Palestine
Despite Jerusalem unrest, West Bank remains quiet The Palestinian Authority’s grip on the West Bank, in coordination with Israel, is preventing any opportunity for the unrest to spread. Palestine
