House panel clears Jordan arms bill ahead of king's visit The Foreign Affairs subcommittee on the Middle East approved legislation boosting military aid to Jordan. Jordan
Embattled Rouhani struggles to find allies in parliament President Hassan Rouhani has had a contentious relationship with his conservative parliament, and steps to form a moderate faction have been slow. Iran
Erdogan attempts to bury policy failures by rewriting history Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rewrites history with dubious sources in an attempt to change the national agenda. Turkey
Following synagogue attack, Netanyahu, Abbas must meet With the latest wave of suicide attacks in Jerusalem, Israel faces a security situation that cannot be solved by building fences like the separation wall. Palestine
IRGC commander: nuclear deal no retreat from 'values' The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says a nuclear agreement will not be a retreat from Iran's revolutionary and Islamic values. Iran
Davutoglu's wishful thinking Remarks by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that US President Barack Obama is coming around to Ankara’s position on Syria are not supported by statements from Washington. Syria
Suicide attempt highlights plight of Lebanese migrant workers An Ethiopian domestic worker survived a four-story plunge, but her case once again highlights Lebanon’s poor track record in its treatment of migrant workers. Lebanon
Islamic State pledge in Sinai raises stakes for Egypt Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis’ decision to declare allegiance to the Islamic State undercuts President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s efforts to reassure the Egyptian public that his government is winning the war on terror in the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
EU ministers discuss jihadist travel to Syria, border security While the G6 meeting of interior ministers on Nov. 6 focused on jihadists traveling from Europe to Syria via Turkey, the European Parliament is considering putting in place more stringent security checks and travel restrictions. Iraq
Gaza’s civil servants strike over unpaid wages The pay dispute concerning Gaza’s public servants continues, with the consensus government refusing to pay for security and military employees hired by the previous Hamas government. Palestine
Security expert: Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis 'gasping for breath' As Egyptian terrorist group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis swore allegiance to the Islamic State, several Egyptian security experts dismissed its significance, citing strong gains by the army against the Sinai-based group. Egypt
Recent events a good sign for Lebanon Developments among parties in Lebanon as well as between Iran and the P5+1 might ultimately lead to solutions to Lebanon's current political stalemate. Saudi Arabia
Yemen's Houthis proxy, not ally for Iran Although they form part of the regional alliance with Iran, Yemen's Houthis and Hezbollah in Lebanon differ in political contexts and behavior. Saudi Arabia
3,500 Palestinians stuck outside Gaza The author interviews several Gazans stuck in Egypt and other countries, herself included, who are unable to return to the Gaza Strip following the terrorist attack in Sinai and the subsequent closure of the Rafah crossing. Palestine
Jews, Arabs use religion as tool to escalate conflict The murders at the Bnei Torah Kehillat Yaakov synagogue in Jerusalem are yet another sign of both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict adding religious elements to the territorial dispute. Palestine
Congress weighs easing restrictions on military aid to Egypt Lawmakers are debating whether to give the Obama administration the power to sidestep legal obstacles to the $1.3 billion annual aid package Egypt
