Has Israel’s defense minister given up on toppling Hamas? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman seems to have realized that attacking Hamas targets in retaliation for rocket fire from rogue groups could damage the organization’s efforts to contain those elements. Palestine
Finance minister says Iran seeks 'resilient' economy Iran's Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Ali Tayebnia tells Al-Monitor that Iran is boosting non-oil exports, unifying its exchange rate and increasing the independence of its Central Bank and that remaining US sanctions are the main impediment to Iranian-American investment. United States
Egypt seeks to crack down on killings by police New amendments to Egypt’s police law seek to make it tougher for police to abuse their authority. Egypt
UN Syria envoy: Jabhat al-Nusra holding Aleppo ‘hostage’ De Mistura calls on Jabhat al-Nusra, Russia and Syria to end fighting in Aleppo; why is Erdogan mostly mum on Aleppo? Syria
How Iraqi Kurdistan plans to reform education to fight extremism The Kurdistan Regional Government aims to reform the religious curriculum, but some claim that these efforts will fail because extremists still have influence on the reform process. Iraq
Focus shifts to second Trump-Clinton debate US voters — and Republican and Democratic party officials — will be closely watching the second presidential debate on Sunday, Oct. 9. United States
Hamas leader speaks out after controversy In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas official Ahmad Yousef discusses why the movement issued a statement preventing the press from dealing with him as its spokesperson. Palestine
Alevi faith protects rare goats in eastern Turkey The shy wild goats in the mountains of eastern Turkey enjoy a protected status both from the government and the still-strong traditions of the local Alevi population. Turkey
Assessing the aftermath of postponed Palestinian elections Resolving the problems that caused the suspension of the Palestinian local elections is crucial to solving internal Palestinian problems through ballot boxes. Palestine
How this new Palestinian coalition intends to fight climate change The Palestinian Coalition for Climate Justice was recently formed to address the climate change issue and raise awareness about its repercussions in Palestinian society. Palestine
Why Turkey’s pro-government media likes Trump Despite Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric, Turks appear to be supporting him for president of the United States. Turkey
Turkey's brash behavior riles Iraq Iraq worries that Turkey, emboldened by the progress of its Operation Euphrates Shield intervention in northern Syria, might be planning an "Operation Tigris Shield" for Mosul. Iraq
How Peres' funeral highlighted rift among Israeli Arabs Despite a boycott of late President Shimon Peres' funeral by Arab Knesset members, several Arab-Israeli regional council heads and mayors paid a condolence visit to his family, to wide public approval. Israel
Can Israel's becoming more Jewish make it more democratic? Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's claim that the more Jewish Israel becomes, the more democratic it will be, actually challenges the Zionist idea of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Israel
Yemen's education system latest victim of ongoing war More than 2,000 schools out of 16,000 across Yemen have been destroyed by Saudi-led Arab coalition airstrikes or by internal fighting. Yemen
Sadrist call to change electoral law could push local elections to 2018 Though all of Iraq's parliamentary blocs acknowledge a need to amend the electoral law, there is less agreement on what direction changes should take and no plans to make it happen. Iraq
