Baghdad's 'blind eye' leads to IS routs in Anbar The Islamic State continues to extend its control in Anbar as the Iraqi army falls back. Iraq
Qatar's Egypt reconciliation embarrasses Erdogan Doha’s moves to improve ties with Egypt deal a fresh blow to Erdogan’s seemingly futile efforts to isolate Sisi internationally. Qatar
Erdogan declares birth control treason Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest blunder hints at the Justice and Development Party’s changing approach to women’s rights. Turkey
Young Jews look to leave Turkey A column published by a Jewish student in Turkey has highlighted the response of the Jewish community to recent incidents targeting them. Turkey
Egypt keeps Salafist imams out of pulpits ahead of elections After cracking down on the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian regime is now going after Salafists by restricting access to mosque pulpits. Egypt
Iraqi women don more conservative dress As religious conservatism rises in Iraq, women are going beyond the hijab to show their religious commitment and membership in their communities. Iraq
Will Israel's Labor Party tackle economy or diplomacy? Ahead of the upcoming elections, social activist Yossi Yonah argues that the economic-existential concerns of the average Israeli worry him more than the issue of negotiating with the Palestinians. Israel
Postponing UN bid won't reverse Palestinian momentum The Palestinians need not worry about postponing the vote on their UN bid until after the Israeli elections, since even if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is re-elected, the push toward Palestinian statehood is inevitable. Palestine
Student political groups face crackdown in West Bank The Palestinian Authority’s security forces have targeted student movements in West Bank universities. Palestine
Iran sees failure of US sanctions in Cuba decision Iranian officials are pointing to the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba as an admission that the US policy of sanctions was ineffective. Iran
Kurds draw pride from defense of Kobani Al-Monitor's visit to the besieged Syrian Kurdish border town of Kobani found Kurdish fighters optimistic about their chances of reclaiming the town and expelling Islamic State forces. Syria
France waters down Arab draft resolution on Palestine There are stark differences between the French and Arab UN Security Council draft resolutions on Palestine. Palestine
Swine flu cases rattle Gaza Cases of swine flu have emerged in Gaza, where hospitals are unprepared for an outbreak and health services continue to deteriorate. Palestine
Terror list removal may soften Hamas Hamas might be looking to tone down its rhetoric to translate its recent legal victory into political progress. Palestine
Islamic State's female bloggers draw European women to Syria Posts about dinners, travel routes and Kalashnikovs are designed to encourage women to join up as teachers, nurses and wives. Iraq
US to accept thousands of Syrian refugees for resettlement The low number of Syrian refugees accepted so far by the United States, attributable in part to Germany and Sweden offering to "take a lot," will increase significantly in 2015, a US State Department official says. Iraq
