Are Arabs ready to invest in Palestine? The current political and economic landscape in the Palestinian territories may not favor a conference for Arab investments, which the Palestinian Authority is banking on to boost its economy. Palestine
Palestinians protest US ‘Peace to Prosperity’ plan Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza protested the US "Peace to Prosperity" plan, as it ignores their basic demands of freedom and dignity. Bahrain
Scorn for US peace plan brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is calling for a Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue to counter the US peace plan, an approach welcomed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Palestine
Why Arabs are pressuring PA to take part in Bahrain summit Some Arab countries are placing political and financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its rejection of the Bahrain economic workshop, which the United States is holding later this month to kick off its peace plan. Gulf
Iran-Russia relations after nuclear deal Russian and Iranian relations have been improving, and are expected to continue to improve even after a nuclear deal despite their being energy competitors. Saudi Arabia
House starts its review of Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 6. Congress
Belmokhtar may be dead, but global jihad still alive A US airstrike may have killed top Algerian al-Qaeda jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar, but his dream of driving the West out of the Middle East and North Africa remains a "dangerous nightmare." North Africa
Will elections change Turkey’s foreign policy? Many believe that if Erdogan is further empowered, Ankara’s foreign policy will remain turbulent. Turkey
Top Biden aide moves to NSC Jeffrey Prescott, Vice President Joe Biden’s deputy national security adviser and veteran China hand, started April 29 as the National Security Council's senior director for Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Gulf states. Pan Arab
Russia turns to soft power in the Middle East While Russia is most commonly seen as a hard power state, regional developments since the Arab Spring have positioned it as a soft power force. Russia
Al-Monitor highlights diversity of Islamic feminism Al-Monitor’s monthlong series on women concludes; Lebanese foreign minister appeals to UN Security Council for protection of Christians; members of Congress seek "formal dialogue" on future of Turkish democracy; the fault lines in Aleppo; have Israeli elections sparked long-stalled Palestinian reconciliation?; Ali Hashem profiles self-proclaimed Islamic State Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Iraq
Arab countries hope to influence G-20 agenda An Istanbul economic forum highlighted Arab countries' aims to be included in the G-20 summit to be held in Turkey in November 2015. Turkey
Beirut re-brushed Despite Lebanon's political and security challenges, Beirut is witnessing an upsurge in the art scene with established and new museums exhibiting Arab artworks. Lebanon
Qatar’s UN ambassador looks to break barriers H.E. Sheikha Alya Bint Ahmed Bin Saif Al Thani knows how to shake up the status quo but argues that gradual change is the most effective way to advance women in the region. Qatar
Why Salafists see Shiites as their greatest enemy Many Salafists see Shiites, not Jews and Israel, as the greatest threat to Islam. Pan Arab
French lawmaker: France acts as 'guardian' in US-Iran nuclear deal The chairwoman of the French Foreign Affairs panel tells Al-Monitor that the White House seems "eager to reach an agreement" quickly. Pan Arab
