Israeli Zionist Camp lost the periphery towns The Zionist Camp's election loss can be explained by its choice to embrace a Tel Aviv-Ashkenazi image, instead of investing time and resources in periphery towns. Israel
Iranian vendor dies after setting himself on fire Iranian activists are questioning why the self-immolation of a fruit vendor in Iran did not lead to mass protests. Regional
After four years, Syrian revolution continues Syrian rebels say that the shift to armed movements against Bashar al-Assad’s regime has pushed people away from the main purpose of the revolution that started in 2011 and called for achieving justice, equality and freedom for all. Egypt
Erdogan’s delicate balancing act in Kiev Ankara is not prepared to spoil ties with Russia over Ukraine. Turkey
Post-election Netanyahu tries to make amends In the week since the elections, Benjamin Netanyahu has been trying to erase what he did during the campaign, expressing worries about US backing of Israel and international reactions. Israel
Erdogan grows more radical Erdogan’s hard-line nationalist and anti-Western rhetoric has become more unrelenting ahead of Turkey’s general elections, but electoral concerns are not the sole reason behind the escalation. Turkey
Lebanese domestic workers to unionize Domestic workers in Lebanon are working together to create a union to push for their rights and thwart potential abuses. Lebanon
Egypt hopes economic conference will yield results Egypt's economic conference in Sharm el-Sheikh was considered a success in terms of agreements to foster Egypt’s economy, but some projects will only be implemented in the long run. Egypt
Growing mushrooms in Gaza Many families of the Gaza Strip have lost their conventional breadwinners, pushing women to tap into mushroom cultivation as a vital alternative. Palestine
Will Egypt seek Nile River agreement with upstream countries? In an interview with Al-Monitor, executive director of the Nile Basin Initiative, John Rao Nyaoro, discusses Egypt’s shift on the Entebbe Agreement and negotiations to form a regional commission. Egypt
Big love in Turkey The approval of applications to run in the June elections by three polygamous candidates of the Turkish People's Democracy Party indicates that while the practice is illegal, the idea of marrying multiple wives could be acceptable by society. Turkey
Iran wages psychological war against IS Iran is waging a psychological war against the Islamic State in Iraq, promoting and highlighting the prominent role of Iraqi fighters among the country's paramilitary groups. Iraq
What is Khamenei thinking on removing sanctions? Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said that the removal of sanctions has to be part of the nuclear agreement, not something that happens after the deal. Iran
Israeli ultra-Orthodox parties may tip the balance Demographic tendencies indicate there will be a continuing growth of the Israeli Arab and ultra-Orthodox populations, thus guaranteeing their sectorial parties more political power in next elections. Israel
Hamas wonders if Bibi victory will lead to war As soon as the Israeli elections results were announced, Hamas expressed its concern that Benjamin Netanyahu might start a fourth war against Palestinians. Palestine
Russia keeps close watch on Yemen Russia is not likely to get too involved in the Yemen crisis, preferring instead to monitor developments from afar and choose its allies carefully. Yemen
