Lebanon's creative entrepreneurs Many Lebanese female entrepreneurs and designers have made it internationally, revolutionizing the perception of Lebanon’s fashion. Lebanon
Female DJs find the beat in Beirut Beirut's female DJs are multiplying in the city's clubs, bringing their own unique sounds to a scene once dominated by males. Lebanon
Palestinian women demand quota increase Palestinian feminist movements are discussing with PLO factions the possibility of increasing the female quota system, while women’s representation within Hamas remains timid. Palestine
Iraq's illegal employment agencies Unregistered recruitment agencies in Iraq bring Asian laborers to work long hours and for wages lower than what Iraqis demand. Iraq
Gazans build temporary houses while awaiting reconstruction In the absence of funds and construction materials, which delayed the reconstruction process in the Gaza Strip, Palestinians are resorting to relief associations that provide them with temporary wooden houses. Palestine
Infographic: Meet the Senate's Iran hawks As the Senate prepares to vote on new legislation, Al-Monitor takes a deeper look at the motivations guiding those lawmakers most wary of negotiations Iran
Europeans worry Senate letter gives Iran edge in nuclear talks German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says the "open letter" to Iran by Senate Republicans undermines Western credibility in nuclear negotiations that are approaching a denouement. Iran
Palestine's first female governor recounts her struggle Palestine's first female governor, Laila Ghannam, talks to Al-Monitor about her journey in politics and stresses that she owes her success to her supportive family. Palestine
Rebels advance in Aleppo After a string of defeats in Aleppo, the rebels are making some progress against the regime. Syria
Israel's female filmmakers move to center stage The year 2014 reflected the changes that the Israeli film industry has been undergoing for the last few years, with many more female filmmakers, complex leading women's roles and an unprecedented number of awards. Israel
Turkish MP overcomes tragedy Safak Pavey, who lost a leg and an arm in a train accident, spent years working on humanitarian missions in conflict zones and is now fast rising in politics as an active female member of Turkey’s parliament. Turkey
Is Netanyahu on his way out? Less than a week before the elections, all options are still open, be they a government headed by Zionist Camp leader Isaac Herzog, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or by both. Israel
Can you be an Islamist and a feminist? Feminists and others in the West intent on "liberating" the women of the Muslim world fail to recognize a brand of Islamist feminism demanding public and private space for women to contribute to society. Gulf
Kurdish refugees reject government-run camp in Turkey Kurdish refugees from Kobani are shunning the well-funded and staffed AFAD Suruc camp to stay in nearby municipal-run camps with fewer facilities. Syria
Tel Aviv campaigns against harassment Tel Aviv nightclub owners have joined clubgoers in an initiative to stop sexual harassment with a social network campaign to raise public awareness of the problem. Israel
Iranian Jewish MP dismissive of Netanyahu, senators' letter In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Siamak Moreh Sedgh shares his thoughts on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress and the letter sent by US senators to the Iranian leadership. Iran
