Arab states try to delay Palestinian UN bill The Palestinian leadership is determined to submit its bill to the UN Security Council, despite pressure from some Arab states to delay it, and French moves to replace it with a European draft bill. Palestine
Divorced dads get organized in Turkey Divorced Turkish fathers are seeking parliamentary help with high alimony judgments and ex-wives who bar them from seeing their children. Turkey
Meshaal: Hamas' West Bank resistance will continue Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal told Al-Monitor in an interview that Hamas will continue to develop resistance in the West Bank against the Israeli occupation. Palestine
Israeli strike targets Lebanon-bound weapons in Syria A confidential diplomatic source has revealed to Al-Monitor that the recent Israeli strikes in Syria targeted weapons originating from Moscow and destined for Lebanon. Israel
Iran sociologist: people, government fear each other Controversial comments by an Iranian sociologist have shed light on his views about the relationship between the Iranian people and their government. Iran
LGBT community finds Damascus more open With the war still raging, it's hard for the morality police to focus on the LGBT community in Damascus. Syria
Europe ramps up push for peace Israel's indifference to a generous financial, economic and defense package offered by the European Union, combined with the failure of the US peace initiative, have persuaded the Europeans to change the rules of the game and seek a proactive peace. Palestine
Another Turkish witch hunt begins In Turkey, one alleged crime always leads to a larger conspiracy theory, demonizing and punishing a large group of people. Turkey
'Arab Idol' breaks isolation of Israel’s Palestinian citizens Haytham Khalayleh, a Palestinian citizen of Israel, was one of the three finalists of "Arab Idol" and though he did not win the singing contest, it provided an opportunity to break through the isolation Palestinians with Israeli citizenship have faced since 1948. Palestine
Jordanian MPs fume at Israeli gas deal, nationality law With hostility toward Israel running high, parliamentary deputies attack the government's plan to sign a 15-year natural gas deal with Israel. Palestine
Nuclear extension, oil price rattle Iranian markets The extension of the nuclear talks for another seven months means sanctions are not lifted and the precipitous drop in oil prices has rattled Iranian markets. Iran
Israeli attack intensifies Syrian anger, despair Syrians on social media mock “right to respond”; US says Syrian rebels will not overthrow Assad; Syrian patriarch pleads for peace; Russia steps up diplomacy; Jumblatt sees no future for Assad; Turkey’s shadow government; Qatar and Turkey draw congressional ire over support for Hamas. Qatar
Syrian patriarch: To help Christians, stop flow of weapons Orthodox leader John X tells Al-Monitor that outside powers must stop interfering if the Middle East is to heal. Syria
