The truth about Gilad Shalit's five years in captivity A video released by Hamas appears to show that abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kept in humane conditions, yet questions remain about the motive behind the decision to release the clip. Palestine
Why the Israeli right wants to ban books, persecute NGOs Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked says funding by European states to NGOs advances foreign interests; yet millions of euros have also been transferred from the EU to Israeli government agencies. Israel
How will Saudi-Iranian crisis affect the region? As relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran reach their worst levels yet following the Saudi execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the United States, Russia and the European Union are exerting all possible efforts to avoid a spillover to other countries where these parties wield influence. Saudi Arabia
Women journalists raise their voices in Gaza There is a dearth of women-focused media outlets in Gaza, where some female journalists are organizing their own platforms to promote women's issues and increase their presence in the sector. Palestine
Why Palestinian housewives are taking lead in boycott campaigns Palestinian women have recently been joining the global BDS movement by launching their own local campaigns to encourage people to refrain from buying Israeli goods. Palestine
Protesters lock horns with government over crusader battlefield History lovers and environmental activists are battling state plans to build a Druze settlement at the ancient battlefield Horns of Hattin, where crusaders confronted Saladin's army in 1187. Israel
The Ramadi illusion The Iraqi military's long overdue capture of Ramadi is still uncertain and will hardly be enough to defeat the Islamic State. Iraq
US scrambles to curb damage from Saudi-Iranian fallout American diplomats try to salvage Syria peace efforts and avert the further deterioration of Iranian-Saudi relations after Saudi Arabia abruptly severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Jan. 3. Saudi Arabia
Candidates for president flesh out their anti-IS war plans Republican contenders agree on only one thing: Obama’s strategy isn’t working. Saudi Arabia
What does Khamenei think of Saudi Embassy attacks? Iranian officials have condemned the attack on Saudi Arabia's embassy. Saudi Arabia
On its 51st anniversary, is Fatah facing identity crisis? The leading Palestinian movement is facing an internal challenge in terms of its identity and how to bring about national liberation. Palestine
Five reasons so many Iranians are rushing to run for office In Iran, the number of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections has ballooned compared with the previous round of polls, but why? Iran
Netanyahu's strategy of hopelessness Instead of reassuring the public after the recent Tel Aviv shooting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expertly stoked the public's fears. Israel
Saudi executions signal royal worries Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 people, including a poplar Shiite cleric, point to the royal family's growing concerns about the kingdom's stability. Saudi Arabia
Local photographers provide snapshot of life in Gaza Palestinian photographers reach world-class status for depicting the daily lives of Gazans and the beauty of Gaza’s nature, unlike the often-seen images of destruction. Palestine
Is Turkey heading to partition? Turkey is losing Kurdish minds and hearts at a dramatic pace — the first outcome of the war raging in the Kurdish movement’s urban strongholds amid unprecedented destruction and civilian deaths. Turkey
