How IS uses water as weapon of war The Islamic State's expanding control over the water resources of the Middle East will only compound the region's water crisis. Egypt
Comparing Iraq's Shiite forces to Iran's Basij While the circumstances of Iran's Basij and Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units share similarities, there were differences in the domestic politics of the countries during the formation of these groups. Iraq
MK Shmuli: Herzog must lead Zionist Camp in opposition In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp Knesset member Itzik Shmuli expresses his regret for the party's failure to reconnect with the periphery. Israel
Hamas military wing dictates movement's policies Inside Hamas, the military branch is gradually taking even stronger control of the movement's institutions and blocking attempts to reach a long-term cease-fire with Israel. Palestine
Erdogan ends discussion on 'Armenian opening' Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement last week seemed to confirm that the Turkish-Armenian rapprochement was indeed an effort driven mainly by Abdullah Gul and blocked mainly by Erdogan. Turkey
Concerns rise over execution of IS militants Captured members of the Islamic State in Iraq are being executed, increasing the possibility of mass killings of civilians and destroying Iraq's future as a unitary state. Iraq
Libyan government wants arms embargo lifted In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesman for the interim Libyan government, Hatem al-Oraibi, discusses the need for the international community to lift the embargo imposed on the Libyan army and allow it to fight terrorist groups. Libya
Iran’s Kurds rise up as their leaders remain divided Various Iranian Kurdish groups have split further apart instead of uniting in their struggle to obtain their rights. Syria
Netanyahu, Herzog battle over Israeli press Netanyahu's schedule, as well as newly revealed sections of the coalition agreements, attest to the fact that the prime minister attributes paramount importance to his control of the media. Israel
Hamas courts Saudis Hamas is seeking a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia to improve its leverage in Palestinian reconciliation talks, which might not please Egypt, which has long brokered the discussions, or Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas. Gulf
Israeli court to rule on minister's deportation case After nine years, the Israeli Supreme Court is expected to decide whether the Israeli minister of interior has the right to deport a bona fide permanent resident of the city of Jerusalem. Palestine
Al-Qaeda emir's silence prompts suspicion Al-Qaeda's usually outspoken emir, Ayman al-Zawahri, has remained uncharacteristically silent through the course of recent al-Qaeda successes, leading many to question what may come next. Gulf
House begins to weigh next steps on Iran A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of May 11. Congress
Carter: Syria 'safe zones' would be 'major combat mission' US secretary of defense tells Congress no-fly zone would be "difficult thing to contemplate"; state institutions collapse as result of war in Yemen; Obama administration rejects direct arms to Iraqi Kurdistan. Saudi Arabia
New Israeli government makes no pretense of peace For the first time in 20 years, an Israeli government will be sworn in without a mention or plan of resolving the Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Abadi tries to balance Iraq between Iran, Turkey Under Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi government did not hide its strong ties with Iran, but with a new administration in place, Haider al-Abadi is trying to cultivate a more balanced policy toward its neighbors. Iraq
