Prices of illegal weapons in West Bank on the rise The Palestinian police have been leading wide-scale efforts to crack down on gun manufacturing and illegal trade in a bid to reduce the phenomenon of tribal and family shootings, while prices of illegal weapons have been soaring. Palestine
Why are Gulenists hostile toward Iran? There seems to be a blind spot in the excited discussion surrounding the failed coup in Turkey: the long and complex enmity between Iran and the followers of exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen. Turkey
Jabhat al-Nusra’s rebranding is more than simple name change By separating from its parent organization, Jabhat al-Nusra — now Jabhat Fatah al-Sham — could attract members who had been hesitant to be associated with al-Qaeda. Syria
Who is Golani, Nusra's No. 1 man? Al-Monitor has exclusive information about the life of Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of Jabhat Fatah al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra). Witnesses talked about his jihad in Iraq and his journey back to Syria from where he announced the formation of Jabhat al-Nusra in 2012. Iraq
Hamas, Fatah no longer the only candidates in Palestinian elections In a bid to break the acute polarization between Hamas and Fatah, the Palestinian left-wing forces are running in the Palestinian elections on a unified list. Palestine
Palestinian electoral commission: Israel might hinder upcoming local elections The head of the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, Hanna Nasir, reveals to Al-Monitor that Hamas agreed to run in the Palestinian local elections set for Oct. 8. Palestine
Why Israel's ultra-Orthodox are not happy with proposed Sabbath law This time, secular Israelis are pushing for a Sabbath-observance law while the ultra-Orthodox resist, claiming the legislation falls short of preserving the day's character. Israel
Is Gaza facing an opioid epidemic? The impossible circumstances of day-to-day life in the Gaza Strip has led to a Tramadol epidemic that Hamas is struggling to address. Palestine
Obama chides Russia, but will 'test' cooperation to curb Syria war US President Barack Obama on Aug. 4 criticized Russia for backing the Syrian regime’s advances on Aleppo, as US-Russian negotiations on possible deeper cooperation on Syria drag on without agreement. Syria
Cairo in hot water over alleged Nile flooding coverup Egypt’s government has been criticized for allegedly trying to silence reports of higher than usual Nile flooding rates, amid fears that it could hamper their efforts to reduce water usage. Egypt
Can Sisi's new investment council save Egypt's economy? While some have praised Cairo's decision to form a Supreme Council for Investment to be overseen by the president himself, others say that Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's personal involvement only demonstrates institutional incompetence. Egypt
Is Iran judiciary open to negotiating on human rights? Iran’s judiciary said that Iran has begun talks with the European Union in regard to human rights. Iran
Could this be the last battle for Aleppo? Opposition factions in southern Aleppo have made significant advances after launching attacks in response to the one-month-long siege imposed by the regime on Aleppo’s eastern neighborhood. Syria