Palestinian politicians anxious to hit campaign trail after 11 years In the Gaza Strip, where the last local council elections were held in 2005, political parties are launching their campaigns a little early. Palestine
Will 50 years of occupation unite Israel's peace camp? The Israeli peace camp must rise to the challenge and craft an effective message during the 50-year celebration of Israeli occupation. Palestine
Will Egypt offer asylum to Gulen? If the United States ever agrees to extradite Fethullah Gulen to Turkey, he has avid supporters who would welcome him in Egypt. Egypt
Kerry, Lavrov will meet to finalize Syria deal US Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva on Aug. 26 to try to finalize a deal on Syria that has been complicated by an escalation of fighting in Aleppo. Syria
Sisi on corruption in local governments: 'What can I do about it?' With the enactment of a new law on local governments, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hopes to curb corruption in municipalities. Egypt
Was Iranian negotiator arrested for spying? Iranian media outlets have reported that a member of the nuclear negotiation team was arrested for spying for the British government, but Iranian officials have not confirmed the news. Iran
Did Turkish government see Gaziantep attack coming? Turkish officials apparently ignored intelligence information that warned of the Aug. 20 wedding massacre in Gaziantep. Syria
What's behind Turkey’s selective clampdown on Gulen community? The Turkish government’s conduct in the clampdown on the Gulen community suggests it has little intention to acknowledge its own contributions to the turmoil. Turkey
Uncertain future for Syrians as EU-Lebanon migration deal looms Increasingly harsh conditions for Syrian refugees in Lebanon may present new problems for a prospective deal with the European Union. Lebanon
Security unrest continues in Nablus Palestinian security forces have launched a broad campaign against armed individuals in Nablus, leading to clashes resulting in the killing of five people, including two security team members. The apparent extrajudicial killing of one suspect has deeply angered Nablus residents. Palestine
Al-Aqsa Mosque back in the eye of the storm with renewed clashes, arrests Various minor infractions have once again increased tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, where Palestinians complain that restoration work has been disrupted and Israeli visitors have exceeded agreed-upon limits. Palestine
Why Bibi is rejoicing as Obama's term nears end Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told journalists that his relationship with US President Barack Obama got off to a bad start from the first minute, when Obama challenged him on settlement policy. Israel
How Netanyahu is sidelining potential rivals Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trouncing of Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz is one more step toward making the Likud a one-man party with no future. Israel
Where does tribal influence fit in Iraqi politics? Even high-level Iraqi politicians are turning to their tribes for support in resolving political disputes, a traditional resource that finds itself at odds with democratic state-building. Iraq
Iran closer to rolling out new oil project contracts Despite ongoing quarreling over Iran’s long-delayed new oil and gas model contracts, the issue finally seems set for a resolution. Iran
Can new 'women’s government' advance gender equality in Egypt? The Egyptian Heritage and Traditional Arts Association has launched a “parallel government” comprising almost entirely of women in a move aimed at promoting public participation of female figures in the country. Egypt
