The Islamic State is here to stay Unlike al-Qaeda, the Islamic State has been able to institutionalize jihad, thus guaranteeing its survival. Iraq
Jerusalem terror attack shatters brief remission This morning's terror attack on a synagogue in Jerusalem indicates that the latest measures of lifting age restrictions for Muslim prayers at the Temple Mount failed at preventing further escalation. Palestine
Economist: Iran doesn’t understand sanctions structure As Iranian officials demand that all sanctions be dropped in a nuclear deal, one Iranian economic analyst explains why this is unlikely and how poorly the complex issue is understood in Iran. Iran
Military's role broadens in 'New Turkey' Since taking his seat as Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has thrown himself into the role of commander-in-chief and drawn the armed forces closer into the political realm and manipulated security concerns to serve his agenda. Turkey
Will US-EU trade deal dissolve EU-Turkey customs union? Turkey is questioning its participation in the EU Customs Union because a free trade agreement being negotiated between the European Union and the United States would open its markets to tariff-free US products while levies on Turkish exports to the United States would remain. Turkey
Watching Kobani The writer gives a personal account of his trip on Nov. 15-16 to Suruc, across from Kobani on the Turkish side of the border, and relates how locals believe that the Kobani battle may bring an end to the Islamic State in military terms. Syria
After attacks in Jerusalem, fears grow of religious war Palestinians believe Israel is threatening to ignite a religious war between Palestinian Muslims and Israeli Jews, taking advantage of the unrest in the Arab and Islamic world. Palestine
Syrian army retakes al-Shaer gas field The Syrian army's recapture of a gas field from the Islamic State represented a strategic and symbolic victory, securing the country's electricity supply and protecting central Syria from further attacks. Syria
Iraq's Arbaeen pilgrims walk new, safer path A new road is being built to make it easier for Shiite pilgrims to walk to Iraq's holy city of Karbala, where they commemorate the death of Imam Hussein Bin Ali. Iraq
AKP condemns one tragedy but downplays another Turkey's Justice and Development Party (AKP) has pummeled the opposition CHP party for its responsibility in the 1937 Dersim tragedy, but has avoided discussing past mistakes made by Islamists. Turkey
Contaminated water delays Sinai canal Despite demands to accelerate development and land reclamation projects in the Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi postpones plans for a crucial canal due to health concerns. Egypt
How a German doctor became a PKK hero "Dr. Medya," a physician from Hamburg, talks about her more than 20 years in the Kurdistan Workers Party in a rare interview. Iraq
Kerry finds a way to Temple Mount compromise In Amman, US Secretary of State John Kerry achieved a compromise on Muslim Temple Mount prayers, showing that a firm US stance must be taken to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict Palestine
Daraa province slowly falls into Syrian rebel hands A string of victories by Syrian rebels in the country’s south has taken the Syrian army by surprise, with the Daraa governorate almost completely in the hands of rebel groups. Syria
Egyptian student deaths stir parents' fears The death toll among students in Egyptian schools has been rising because of negligence and deterioration of school maintenance. Egypt
Khamenei says world relies on Iran’s armed forces Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has encouraged young officers to "elevate Iran’s military organization" by taking advantage of the country’s scientific abilities, as "the world counts on" Iran's military. Iran
