Did US backtrack on Palestinian statehood to please Israel? The United States’ strong position against recognition of a Palestinian state has exposed the vacuity of its two-state rhetoric. Palestine
Phosphate production poisoning Tunisian city The phosphate refinery in Gabes offers employment opportunities, but it is also responsible for environmental degradation causing harm to public health, including high rates of cancer and kidney disease. Tunisia
Congress blindsides Obama, inviting Netanyahu to speak Inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran sanctions without the White House’s knowledge was seen as an unprecedented slap at President Barack Obama. Israel
Arsal kidnappers break silence, contact Lebanese mediator After a 36-hour silence following the storming of Roumieh prison, the Arsal terrorists holding Lebanese soldiers resumed contact with the government's mediator. Lebanon
Iran holds trump card on oil: petrochemicals To offset the drop in oil revenues, Iran can look to its petrochemical industry. Iran
US maintains intelligence relationship with Houthis Despite alarmist news reports, the Barack Obama administration appears to have adjusted to the rise of the Houthis in Yemen and is continuing attacks on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Gulf
Congress unmoved by Obama's call to back off Iran legislation The Senate kicked off legislative debate while the House invited Israel's Netanyahu to weigh in. Congress
After Kobani, where is Islamic State's next target? The besieged strategic Kurdish town of Hasakah, swollen by an influx of refugees and barrel-bombed by Syrian regime forces, is coming under fire from the Islamic State. Syria
Lebanese visa regulations cause more distress for Syrians The announcement of new regulations requiring Syrians to obtain visas to enter Lebanon has caused consternation and confusion among Syrians as well as in the Lebanese government. Lebanon
Yemeni society changes before photographer's lens Yemeni photographer Abdul Rahman Al Ghabri speaks to Al-Monitor about his work and how it reflects the changes in Yemeni society. Yemen
IRGC vows revenge after Israeli attack Iranian military commanders say that the Israeli strike against a Hezbollah convoy in Syria will not deter them. Israel
Israeli party lists show new names, little experience Ahead of Israel's elections, many publicly unknown figures have been promised slots on different party lists, while the esteemed former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz was rejected and no leading municipal leader and few former generals were willing to join. Israel
Should Israel protect Jewish Diaspora or its own citizens? Israel must concentrate on protecting its own citizens, in spite of the risks for the Jews of the world, focusing on military targets and not potential reprisals against Jewish targets outside its borders. Israel
Egypt uses church to bolster ties with Ethiopia Egypt is taking advantage of the rapprochement between the Ethiopian and Egyptian Coptic churches in negotiations over the Renaissance Dam, although some criticize the church’s involvement in politics, especially since Ethiopia is moving forward with the dam’s construction. Egypt
Hezbollah's three options on Israel The Lebanese Shiite group has only a few options for responding to the Israeli strike against it in Syria and wants to be careful not to cause an expansion of the conflict onto Lebanese territory. Israel
Beersheba residents revitalize their city Beersheba residents joined social activists and students in renovating neglected streets and public spaces in the poor neighborhoods of the city, engaging in a global movement of communal responsibility. Israel
