Iran diplomat calls to mend 'old wound' of 1979 hostage crisis A senior Iranian adviser has acknowledged "amicable" US contributions to reaching a nuclear deal and said that it's time for Iran to finally resolve the hostage crisis that has prevented trust between the two countries. Iran
Splitting gendarmerie from Turkish army: reform or bad timing? The Turkish public is divided over the government’s decision to attach the Gendarmerie Command to the Ministry of Interior. Turkey
Media wars hamper Qatari-Egypt relations As Qatari and Egyptian media outlets engage in a bitter tug-of-war, diplomatic efforts continue at senior levels to tone down the rhetoric. Qatar
Russia holds firm on Syria Moscow is clinging tightly to its Syria policy, believing that the regime is the best option for controlling the Islamic State and worrying over the economic situation that will inevitably emerge from the conflicts there. Syria
Military intervention alone won't stop terrorism in Iraq Despite the Baghdad government's string of failures in fighting the Islamic State (IS), Iraqi politicians, clergy, media and analysts have been busy trying to assert that Iraq does not need foreign troops on the ground to fight IS. Iraq
History shows current Jerusalem crisis not its last The closing of Al-Aqsa Mosque by the Israelis seems to be in line with the objective of a radical Jewish group to build a third temple in Jerusalem and replace the Jordanian authority at the compound. Palestine
Raqqa refugees flock to Jordan Residents from Raqqa and northern Syria are heading to Jordan's Azraq refugee camp, as the Islamic State continues to impose its rules. Jordan
Will Egypt's buffer zone worsen Israel-Hamas friction? Egypt's plan to clear a buffer zone on its Gaza-Sinai border will oblige Hamas to depend on the crossing points to Israel, a reality that might lead to another round of conflict. Palestine
Life in Raqqa under IS The faceless young Syrian behind the “Raqqa is being slaughtered silently” campaign and website tells Al-Monitor about life in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, an Islamic State stronghold. Syria
Rabin memorial reflects lack of left's leadership The Israeli left has failed to produce any leader who could follow in the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's footsteps, leaving the political scene in the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Netanyahu government threatens Temple Mount Members of Benjamin Netanyahu's government are using the Temple Mount for political purposes, advocating the return of the Jewish people to the holy site at the risk of damaging the fragile status quo. Palestine
Abadi’s visit to Jordan focuses on fate of Anbar During his first visit to an Arab capital, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi discussed with officials in Amman the possibility of forming a Sunni tribal force to thwart the actions of the Islamic State in the Anbar province. Iraq
Building bridges between Middle East, Silicon Valley The US State Department's TechWomen initiative is empowering women in the Middle East and syncing with the president's climate change efforts around the world. Congress
Marwan's exhibition reminder of Syria's cultural destruction The Syrian-born artist Marwan Kassab-Bachi, known simply as Marwan, is preparing for his first solo exhibition in the Arabian Gulf, highlighting the endangered cultural history of his homeland. Syria
Turkish politician calls for Vatican-like administration of Mecca A Turkish parliamentarian calls for a joint Muslim administration in Mecca and Medina, arguing the Saudis have failed to ensure smooth hajj pilgrimage for Muslims. Saudi Arabia
Rafah residents forced to leave their homes In an exclusive report, Al-Monitor witnessed the evacuation of Palestinians from their homes in Rafah. Egypt