How Erdogan exploits Syrian refugees Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan had hoped a wave of Syrian refugees, created with assistance to the Islamic State, would force NATO to act against Syria's Bashar al-Assad, and when that failed, he allowed the refugees to move westward to pressure Europe. Israel
Reform Judaism grows in Israel Though the pushback from some ultra-Orthodox politicians and others is still harsh, the leaders of the Israel movement for Reform and progressive Judaism feel that more Israelis are opening up to them and supporting their vision of Judaism and solidarity. Israel
Congress rethinks anti-Assad stance Senate Democrats are beginning to question regime-change goals amid Islamic State gains. United Arab Emirates
Egyptian Coptic Church tapped to play mediator in Nile River dispute Egypt is looking to capitalize on the Coptic Church’s disputed influence to affect relations between Ethiopia and Egypt on the Nile water-sharing and Renaissance Dam dossier. Egypt
Khamenei asks IRGC to prevent 'enemy’s influence' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, asking them to protect the country from foreign influence. Iran
Is Saudi Arabia up to the task of protecting the 'House of God'? With construction issues at the Grand Mosque and the threat of Islamist militants, the hajj presents a unique challenge to Saudi organizers every year. Saudi Arabia
Libyan locals give 'dignified end' to unidentified refugee victims Many of those attempting to reach Europe from Africa or the Middle East by sea drown en route, with their bodies washing ashore on the Libyan coast, far away from their loved ones. Libya
US to name coordinator for implementing Iran nuclear deal With the Iran nuclear deal expected to survive congressional review, the Obama administration is preparing to pivot from defending the deal to the crucial task of implementing it, with diplomat Stephen Mull leading the new office to coordinate JCPOA implementation for the US government. Congress
Refugees risk it all Even daily tragedies at sea don’t stop Syrian refugees from risking their lives and those of their families trying to get to Europe from Turkey. Syria
AKP to its moderates: Don't let the door hit you on your way out A number of moderate Justice and Development Party veterans who dared to express opposition to the course set by Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been excluded from the party’s central committee. Turkey
Why Israeli politicians choose not to call for 'peace' The murder of Alexander Levlovich by stones thrown at his car provoked Israeli politicians into superficial statements on security, instead of prompting a public debate over ways to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestine
Right-wing cyber 'soldiers' take on Israeli human rights organization The Israeli conservative organization My Israel has rallied its members to vote for human rights activists from around the world in a campaign to sabotage the candidacy of B'Tselem, currently a finalist for the Human Rights Tulip award. Palestine
Hamas shifts public relations strategy It seems that Hamas' military wing is now handling the movement's recruitment efforts among Gaza's youth, replacing the previous management by Hamas' political wing. Palestine
Temple Mount violence escalates Riots are spreading from the Temple Mount to East Jerusalem, causing more deaths and injuries, but neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas offer any new solutions. Palestine
Is it time to formally decentralize Iraq? Although Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi proposed a reform project to cut down government size, and thus government expenses, Iraq is in need of a decentralized plan. Iraq
Displaced Yazidis in Georgia find respite, but little else A small number of Iraqi Yazidis fleeing Islamic State attacks in 2014 headed for economically struggling Georgia, where the existing Yazidi community, itself formed by refugees escaping persecution, has been trying to assist them. Iraq
