Slow response to Yemen’s crisis points to government incompetence As Yemen is facing its worst humanitarian and economic crisis in its modern history, the Saudi-led coalition needs to step up and restore security in the liberated areas by eliminating militias. By Amal Nasser
'We want water' say Bethlehem area protesters Palestinians in the Bethlehem area are protesting both the Israeli decrease in the available water supply and the Palestinian water authorities’ alleged lack of fairness in the distribution of existing water supplies. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Will PLO adopt new political strategy? As partisan bickering costs the Palestinian cause momentum in the regional and international arenas, the Palestinian National Initiative hopes a new strategy will unify the political leadership and end the division. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Why some Iraqi Shiites are pushing for distance from Iran Iraqi Shiites are dividing over their stance toward Iran, as the disagreement with Iran rose up among Shiites affiliated to Najaf. By Ali Mamouri
Algeria rips House appropriators over Sahara coercion Algiers is furious at pro-Moroccan language in the annual foreign aid bill. By Julian Pecquet
How Germany-Turkey discord could damage NATO alliance Turkish-German friction on allowing German parliamentarians to visit Incirlik Air Base could have serious ramifications in terms of complicating NATO plans to combat the Islamic State. By Cengiz Candar
Rouhani banks on small businesses to generate big growth Even though they constitute more than 85% of businesses in the country, Iran's small- to medium-sized enterprises generate a mere 14.7% of GDP and less than 30% of employment, leading the administration to focus on boosting this crucial sector. By Navid Kalhor
One year later, Rouhani still selling nuclear deal to Iranians Iranian officials are urging patience in seeing the full results of the comprehensive nuclear deal. By Arash Karami
Western Sahara's Polisario Front elects leader The Sahrawi people have a new chief and a persistent determination to establish recognition from Morocco, one way or the other. By Habibulah Mohamed Lamin
Israel’s Africa ambitions highlight Egypt's absence While Egyptian-Israeli relations are improving, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Africa could negatively affect Egypt's historical role in the African continent. By Albaraa Abdullah
Are Turkey’s efforts to combat foreign fighters too late? Since the June 28 airport attack in Istanbul, Turkey has been adopting measures against Salafist foreign terrorist fighters, but many observers wonder whether these anti-criminal measures aren't too late in dealing with root causes of Salafist terror. By Metin Gurcan
Erdogan’s citizenship offer fans flames of anti-Syrian sentiment in Turkey Turkey's polarized public appears to have found a common cause against a proposed offer of citizenship and preferential treatment for Syrian refugees. By Semih Idiz
What do Palestinians think about Egypt's peace initiative? Hamas leaders are unhappy about the Egyptian initiative, which positions Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as Israel's only interlocutor, but fear to express loudly their objections. By Shlomi Eldar
How Tunisia’s security agencies are confronting infiltration attempts Terrorist organizations in Tunisia have recruited policemen and soldiers within its ranks to obtain information on the security forces and use it in attacks, which has prompted the Tunisian authorities to fortify security agencies to abort infiltration attempts. By Ahmed Nadhif
The West Bank's growing gun problem Faced with an alarming arms proliferation, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has instructed his security forces to strike with an "iron fist" to prevent further bloodshed that could plunge the West Bank into complete security chaos. By Ahmad Melhem In Ramallah, reporting on politics
Inheritance plan could be game-changer for Egyptian women A draft law before Egypt’s parliament could help solve the problem of women being deprived of their inheritance, at least in legal terms, but overcoming traditions and customs will not be easy. By Walaa Hussein