Iraq's Kakai minority joins fight against Islamic State Some in Iraq’s Kakai minority group have claimed to be Muslim to avoid persecution, while others are working to form a militia to protect themselves. Iraq
Palestinians learning Hebrew for strategic advantage Increasing numbers of Palestinians in Gaza are studying Hebrew so they can follow Israeli media, understand Israeli thinking and, therefore, better manage the conflict between the two sides. Palestine
Egypt's Coptic cinema on brink of extinction The Coptic film industry in Egypt, where production has dwindled to nearly nothing, is trying to protect what little revenue remains by targeting illegal downloads. Egypt
US offer of anti-Iran bomb lands as a dud in Israel Some in Congress are keen to share the latest bunker-busting technology, but Israel is skeptical. Israel
IAEA chief testifies before Iran parliament committee Yukiya Amano, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, faced tough questions from parliament members of Iran who are reviewing the final nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1. Pan Arab
Will boycott campaign put the brakes on Iran's auto industry? On the cusp of no longer facing Western sanctions, Iranian carmakers now face a domestic boycott of their vehicles over price and quality concerns. Iran
How voters, not politicians, could be the losers in Turkey's November elections Continued fighting in Turkey is raising security and transparency concerns about the upcoming parliamentary elections. Turkey
The revival of Turkey’s 'lynching' culture Nationalist and religious fervors have revived Turkey’s tradition of physical and political "lynching," with the victims ever unprotected and the assailants ever untouchable. Turkey
The battle for Sanaa looms If a cease-fire is not arranged, the battle for Sanaa will turn into a humanitarian disaster. Saudi Arabia
EU has new plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace, but will it work? The EU is contemplating a three-pronged plan that includes curbing settlement expansion though labeling goods, advancing a UN resolution and organizing a regional peace conference. Palestine
Israel fears return of Persian Empire According to a senior IDF source, Israel's major concern should be the Iran-Shiite-Hezbollah axis and Iran gaining regional influence and power after the nuclear agreement. Israel
Glick continues his campaign to bring Jews to Temple Mount Talking to Al-Monitor, activist Yehuda Glick, who preaches for Jews to ascend the Temple Mount, says that following his yearslong activity, thousands of Jews have visited the compound and many rabbis have stopped being opposed to it. Palestine
Temple Mount's contentious history While some Palestinians use the Temple Mount for political means, denying its Jewish history, Jewish far-right extremists use the Temple Mount as a means of provocation. Palestine
Why more and more secular Israelis are fasting on Yom Kippur Recent studies show that more Israelis are fasting on Yom Kippur not so much as a religious ritual, but as a way to reconnect with their Jewish identity or create their own spiritual space. Israel
After escaping Holocaust, thousands of Israeli survivors struggle with poverty, loneliness Reports indicate that many Holocaust survivors not only live in poverty, but also suffer from loneliness. Israel
Female athletes keep ball rolling in Palestine Many female soccer players in Palestine are fighting an uphill battle given their towns’ traditions, which discourage women from participating in athletics. Palestine
