Wilayat Sinai fails to cripple Egyptian army Islamic State affiliates in Egypt’s Sinai province, known as Wilayat Sinai and formerly as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, devised a plan to rattle the Egyptian army, but it seems that their attempts were unsuccessful. Egypt
Iranians look to post-deal economic, political challenges As Iran moves toward a final nuclear deal, the national media is buzzing with the domestic political and economic issues to be addressed the day after. Iran
Is Hamas working with Wilayat Sinai? While Hamas officials deny ties to IS in Sinai, Gaza residents claim that Sinai terrorists were admitted for treatment in Gaza, and Israel argues that Hamas provides weapons to these terror groups. Palestine
Lebanon to poll Christians on choice for president The leaders of Lebanon's main Christian factions have agreed on a proposal by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun to poll Lebanese Christians on their favored presidential candidate. Lebanon
Egypt clamps down on religious ritual The Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf has imposed a series of strict conditions on religious retreats held in mosques during Ramadan. Egypt
West Bank women look to divorce marital status from IDs Although President Mahmoud Abbas approved the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Palestinian women still face discrimination concerning their marital status. Palestine
Netanyahu backslides on religious reforms By caving in to ultra-Orthodox demands to cancel religious reforms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disregards most of the Israeli public, focusing solely on his political survival. Israel
Bennett, Lapid rush to back IDF officer in West Bank shooting Instead of waiting for the IDF to investigate the conduct of its soldiers, Israeli politicians tend to back them unconditionally, turning each incident into a political issue. Palestine
House starts its review of Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 6. Congress
Finish line in sight at Iran nuclear talks Substantial progress has been made in resolving key issues for a final Iran nuclear deal, but diplomats said some big and small issues still remain to be overcome to conclude the deal. Congress
Turkish military wary of Erdogan plan for Syrian buffer zone The United States remains opposed to a no-fly zone in northern Syria; Masrour Barzani calls for "amicable divorce" for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Jacky Hugi writes that Israel should back the Syrian government "at any price." Iraq
Egypt’s missing activists resurface in prison Mysterious arrests are on the rise in Egypt, leaving citizens feeling vulnerable to both the precarious security situation and security forces. Egypt
Why did Sisi back out of African Union Summit? Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi canceling his participation in the African Union Summit in Johannesburg has raised questions about relations between Egypt and South Africa. Egypt
IS fights for its window to the Mediterranean As the Islamic State is gaining ground in Homs, which is close to the Lebanese border, the Lebanese army is preparing to counter any attempt to turn north Lebanon into an emirate affiliated with the terrorist organization. Lebanon
Gaza's only mobile phone company forced to close The Gaza attorney general's shutdown of Jawwal for alleged tax evasion could affect hundreds of jobs and has been met by criticism by those who see the company as a victim of a political divide. Palestine
Questions emerge over Hamas' ability to secure Gaza The disappearance of Mahmoud Salfiti, a Salafist prisoner who had been granted a 24-hour leave to visit his family, raises questions about Hamas’ ability to control and secure the Gaza Strip. Palestine
