Congress probes US, Russia face-off in Syria A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Nov. 2. Palestine
Children’s photo exhibit brings plight of Syrian refugees to Washington UNICEF is partnering with a Lebanese NGO to draw attention to the needs of Syria’s children. Lebanon
Nations find some common ground at tough Syria talks Citing a sense of urgency to try to stop the Syria killing, arch rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia join 17 nations in a call to bring the Syrian parties into talks for a political transition, cease-fires and UN-monitored elections. Syria
The Palestinian uprising's blurred lines It is difficult to determine whether the events in the Palestinian territories are a limited and temporary uprising or a full-blown intifada. Palestine
Is Israel headed to a civil war? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has destroyed one of Israel's major achievements: the basic allegiance of Israeli Arabs with Israel, including their participation in the electoral process and their at least partial integration in the economy and in academic life. Palestine
Egypt elections runoff overshadowed by election fraud Egypt political parties win the largest proportions of individual seats in the first phase of Egypt’s parliamentary elections tainted by allegations of vote-rigging. Egypt
Netanyahu's short-term thinking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu feels threatened by Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman's rising popularity over his management of the current wave of violence, which is why he keeps coming up with short-lived security ideas. Palestine
My visit to Temple Mount With hundreds of tourists, I visited the Temple Mount, and contrary to Palestinian accusations, Israel is not trying to change the status quo but cooperates with the Waqf guards during visits at the site. Palestine
How to bring peace to Israel Palestinian Knesset member Ahmad Tibi talked with Al-Monitor about the latest uprising in the Palestinian territories, saying though he advocates nonviolent resistance, peace will remain elusive until Israel ends the longest occupation the world has known. Palestine
Islamic State creeps in on Kurdish stronghold The discovery of an Islamic State cell in Diyarbakir, Turkey’s main Kurdish city, stokes fears that the extremist group is seeking to further fuel Kurdish-Turkish ethnic tensions. Turkey
Forget online dating, now the Turkish government will find you a spouse Struggling to recover decreasing youth support for the AKP, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu gambles on the sexual frustration of bachelors by promising to play matchmaker for the desperate. Turkey
After Iranian, Russian military advances Syrian opposition suffers setback in Aleppo Regime forces were able to retake large swathes of Aleppo’s southern countryside from the opposition, whose weaponry is insufficient in the face of Iranian and Russian ground and air support. Saudi Arabia
Turkey reconsiders security priorities The recent raid on Islamic State safe houses in Diyarbakir has shed light on the organization's activities in Turkey and prompted Turkey to reconsider its top security priorities. Turkey
What's happening in Gaza's detention centers? Al-Monitor was given exclusive access to testimonies of former female detainees who were subjected to several forms of torture, which officials deny. Palestine
Why Gaza's brides are getting married via Skype In light of the ongoing closure of the Rafah crossing, Palestinian couples find themselves forced to get married via Skype in proxy weddings. Palestine
Lebanon's schools do double duty to educate both Syrian, Lebanese students The Lebanese Ministry of Education is working with international donors to increase the country’s capacity to secure education for the large number of displaced Syrian children. Lebanon
