Hezbollah, Israel claim victory, reset deterrence Nasrallah steps back from confrontation with Israel after attack; Iran sanctions in perspective; Netanyahu plan may backfire; Kurdish victory in Kobani a setback for Turkey; Are Iraqi Kurdish land grabs sowing future conflict? Iraq
Saudi King Salman quickly makes his mark King Salman has shuffled key Cabinet positions to consolidate power in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Iran's Zarif backed by foreign policy heavyweight Iranian diplomat Sadegh Kharazi, who has recently received permission to start his own political party and has family ties to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has thrown his support behind the nuclear talks. Iran
Palestinian Authority in the hot seat A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 2. Palestine
French lawmaker: France acts as 'guardian' in US-Iran nuclear deal The chairwoman of the French Foreign Affairs panel tells Al-Monitor that the White House seems "eager to reach an agreement" quickly. Pan Arab
Nasrallah vows to confront Israel at any time and place In a broadcast speech, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah tried to re-establish deterrence with Israel after the two sides traded strikes. Israel
Hezbollah strike was 'minimum response,' warns Iran commander The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also stated that Israel should 'await a stronger response.' Israel
Amal Clooney attracts attention at Armenian genocide trial The case before the European Court of Human Rights concerns the right of Dogu Perincek, the leader of the Turkish Workers Party, to deny that Armenians had suffered a genocide. Turkey
Turkey’s Central Bank caves on interest rates Under fire from the government and the president, Turkey’s Central Bank has abandoned its cautious approach and moved to lower interest rates. Turkey
Bennett went too far in plan to reshape his party The HaBayit HaYehudi chairman failed this week in transforming the traditional image of the party — from a sectorial, religious male-dominated one to a young, vibrant and an all-Israel party. Countries
Security issues become tool for delay Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security conditions for any future agreement with the Palestinians would preclude a Palestinian state all together. Palestine
Disputed Alawite village caught between Israel, Hezbollah In an interview with Al-Monitor, Bilal Khatib of the Ghajar municipal council explains the unique situation of the village; located on the Israel-Lebanon-Syria border and residents' fear of being targeted. Israel
Threat of violence silences Palestinian journalists In light of physical assaults and abuses in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, some Palestinian journalists are avoiding sensitive political and security issues. Palestine
Moderate Islam pushes back extremism Terrorist operations carried out by radical Islamic groups around the world and in the Middle East have had the unintended effect of promoting moderate Islam, particularly in Iran. Iraq
Congress takes first step on Iran sanctions The Senate Banking Committee voted 18-4 in favor of repercussions if talks drag on. Congress
Rouhani: Khomeini chose peace when necessary Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini knew when it was time to make peace. Iran
