http://www.al-monitor.com/cms/render/live/en/sites/almonitor/home/rssfeeds/frontpage-rss/maincontent/Front_Page.html Front_Page Jahia 6.6.0.0 r40429, http://www.jahia.org b272283b-f85e-4275-b8fb-3216c07199db http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/israel-fuel-crisis-gaza.html Hamas has chosen to cut itself off unilaterally from Israel's fuel and to replace it with gas from Egypt — a decision that turned out to be a mistake. 6/19/13 5:53 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/israel-fuel-crisis-gaza.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_israel-fuel-crisis-gaza/1-RTX10PO7-001.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Palestinians wait to fill their motorcycles with fuel at a filling station in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 16, 2013. Shlomi Eldar 6/19/13 11:53 AM 3e9b9e53-b1af-47d5-b4c6-8c15a8654301 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-iran-funds-culture-hamas.html Iranian funds for Gaza's cultural, education and sports scene have withered due to the fallout with Hamas over Syria. 6/19/13 5:36 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-iran-funds-culture-hamas.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_gaza-iran-funds-culture-hamas/Gaza culture.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Palestinian girls take part in a ballet class at Gaza college in Gaza City, Sept. 3, 2012. Asmaa al-Ghoul 6/19/13 8:24 AM 5b4bc8b7-0729-4595-82a4-5c35932b42c8 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/business/2013/06/israel-growth-percent-inefficency.html Low productivity and high birth rates within the ultra-Orthodox sector are not just hindering Israel's economic growth, they're emptying the state's coffers. 6/19/13 5:35 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/business/2013/06/israel-growth-percent-inefficency.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_israel-growth-percent-inefficency/Ultra-Orthodox Israel.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Ultra-Orthodox Jewish children stand near hats lined up on a wall ahead of the wedding ceremony of Shalom Rokeach, the grandson of the Chief Rabbi of Belz, Yissachar Dov Rokeach, in Jerusalem, May 21, 2013. Elise Brezis 6/19/13 4:23 AM http://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0%2c7340%2cL-3602580%2c00.html adae9578-0beb-4c7b-bb1b-b2da9c2c1531 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/jordan-us-decision-arm-syria-rebels.html Following the US announcement that it would arm Syrian rebels, officials in Jordan have scrambled to determine how they will cope with the implications of this decision. 6/19/13 5:00 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/jordan-us-decision-arm-syria-rebels.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_jordan-us-decision-arm-syria-rebels/1-RTR35W8N-001.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Jordan's King Abdullah (3rd R) joins officers in night prayers during his visit at a northern border guards unit at the Jordanian-Syrian border, Aug. 1, 2012. Tamer al-Samadi 6/19/13 10:36 AM http://alhayat.com/Details/524954 fa801cce-c11a-4455-9b82-779849014223 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/how-bad-will-fraud-be-in-iraqi-elections.html Iraqi local elections are set for June 20 but some fear that a fraud operation is underway as part of an attempt to divide Iraq along sectarian lines. 6/19/13 5:00 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/how-bad-will-fraud-be-in-iraqi-elections.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_how-bad-will-fraud-be-in-iraqi-elections/1-RTX10QV9.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Iraqi soldiers vote at a polling station during early voting for security forces in the country's provincial elections in Mosul, June 17, 2013. Boushra al Mouzaffar 6/19/13 8:40 AM http://alhayat.com/Details/525005 0b4200f6-d39a-4df4-b852-6fb45cffa5fb http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/culture/2013/06/lebanese-fete-de-la-musique.html On June 21, Beirut will host Fete de la Musique, a public music festival aimed at promoting local and international bands and bringing together the country’s residents. 6/19/13 4:59 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/culture/2013/06/lebanese-fete-de-la-musique.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_lebanese-fete-de-la-musique/Beirut music festival.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Lebanese pop-rock band Belime performs during Fete de la Musique music festival in Beirut, June 21, 2011. Hanaa al-Raheem 6/19/13 6:14 AM http://alhayat.com/Details/524577 d2f80c08-244e-4864-9f8c-cfbc5cab40a2 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/kuwait-opposition-boycott-elections.html Kuwaiti opposition groups have affirmed their decision to boycott upcoming parliamentary elections. 6/19/13 3:25 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/kuwait-opposition-boycott-elections.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_kuwait-opposition-boycott-elections/Kuwait.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Supporters of Kuwaiti former member of parliament and opposition politician Musallam al-Barrak march toward the central prison in Andulos, after a ruling sentenced Barrak to jail for insulting the emir, April 15, 2013. Hamad al-Jasser 6/18/13 2:07 PM http://alhayat.com/Details/524707 cd0fa800-8fec-40ae-81d9-289e5a0c63d3 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/morocco-political-deadlock-ruling-coalition-collapses.html Moroccan party Istiqlal has withdrawn from the government over a dispute with the Islamist Justice and Development Party. 6/19/13 2:33 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/morocco-political-deadlock-ruling-coalition-collapses.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_morocco-political-deadlock-ruling-coalition-collapses/RTR2NSGK.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Morocco's King Mohammed VI prepares to address the nation in Rabat, June 17, 2011. Mohammed Boudarham 6/18/13 8:49 AM 95c9b137-1d33-4100-8c99-8a788c1b91e1 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/washington-syria-morality-play-policy.html The United States can't seem to either escape or learn from its experiences in Iraq when dealing with Syria. 6/19/13 12:30 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/washington-syria-morality-play-policy.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_washington-syria-morality-play-policy/RTXZPGI.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 President Barack Obama (R) and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold a joint news conference in the White House Rose Garden in Washington, May 16, 2013. Geoffrey Aronson 6/18/13 4:22 PM 5a9b39e7-0d8f-4e1e-9eea-65950e4c62c5 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/freedom-of-speech-lags-in-tunisia.html Although the Tunisian media has never been more free, freedom of expression is still limited in some respects and citizens are being imprisoned for expressing their views. 6/19/13 9:24 AM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/freedom-of-speech-lags-in-tunisia.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_freedom-of-speech-lags-in-tunisia/1-RTX10551.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Police officers detain a topless activist from the women's rights group FEMEN during a protest against the arrest of their Tunisian member, Amina, in front of Tunisia's Ministry of Justice in Tunis, May 29, 2013. Marouen Achouri 6/18/13 5:29 AM http://www.businessnews.com.tn/Tunisie---La-liberté-d’expression,-une-problématique-à-géométries-variables,519,38753,1 80730cb2-e2f6-419e-909b-f3a61c129391 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/syria-prisons-torture-human-rights.html An exclusive firsthand account from a Syrian who was detained in a state prison in Aleppo. 6/19/13 9:18 AM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/syria-prisons-torture-human-rights.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_syria-prisons-torture-human-rights/RTR34TZJ.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Syrian detainees, arrested for participation in protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, walk to sign their release papers at the Damascus police leadership building, July 11, 2012. Edward Dark 6/19/13 5:44 AM 6436a5cd-03f0-4b7e-8cc4-1550f69d60f8 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/algeria-islamists-makri-presidential-elections-bouteflika.html Political parties from both Islamist and nationalist factions in Algeria gear up for next year’s presidential election as current President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s term is slated to end. 6/18/13 7:15 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/algeria-islamists-makri-presidential-elections-bouteflika.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_algeria-islamists-makri-presidential-elections-bouteflika/1-RTXZG0Y.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Rachid Ghannouchi, leader of the Islamist Ennahda movement, Tunisia's main Islamist political party, has drawn heat for his support of Algerian presidential contender Abderazzak Makri. Ghannouchi speaks during a news conference in Tunis, May 9, 2013. Atef Kadadra 6/18/13 10:09 AM http://alhayat.com/Details/524659 dccc418d-28e0-4289-a623-b97bd458fe78 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/g8-middle-east-settlements-israel-palestine.html The G8's 110 words on the Middle East peace process are dissected. 6/18/13 7:09 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/g8-middle-east-settlements-israel-palestine.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_g8-middle-east-settlements-israel-palestine/RTX10S1Z-001.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Russia's President Valdimir Putin (L) looks at Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama during a photo session at the G-8 Summit, at Lough Erne, near Enniskillen, in Northern Ireland, June 18, 2013. Daoud Kuttab 6/18/13 4:47 PM d7c061cc-4c44-4142-b0df-0ead64eb2ade http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/kuwait-iraq-un-gcc-chapter-seven.html Settling the borders issue as a sine qua non condition for normalization between Kuwait and Iraq. 6/18/13 6:57 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/kuwait-iraq-un-gcc-chapter-seven.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_kuwait-iraq-un-gcc-chapter-seven/Kuwaiti PM.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah (back L) and his Iraqi counterpart Nouri al-Maliki (back R) look on as Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheik Sabah Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah (front L) and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari sign agreements in Baghdad, June 12, 2013. Nassif Hitti 6/18/13 5:12 AM 5087b4e2-6205-45a1-90ec-773acab3d234 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/islamic-punishment-iran.html While Iran continues to enforce Islamic punishment through its legal system, many Shiite clerics remain critical of such practices. 6/18/13 6:40 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/islamic-punishment-iran.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_islamic-punishment-iran/RTXWC4X.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Shiite Muslims attend a religious ritual at the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, Iraq, Jan. 8, 2011. Ali Mamouri 6/18/13 9:53 AM 6075870c-cee8-49e5-aa90-afc7803fdcb4 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/turkey-protests-military-stance-gezi.html The Turkish government is haunted by coup fears in its handling of the massive protests. 6/18/13 5:52 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/turkey-protests-military-stance-gezi.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_turkey-protests-military-stance-gezi/RTX10PFE (2).jpg?t=thumbnail_278 A protester reacts as riot police order them to evacuate Gezi Park in central Istanbul, June 15, 2013. Lale Kemal 6/18/13 12:53 PM 2b2701fd-01a4-4ce7-a3c4-ad0ce65badd3 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/congress-iran-election-rouhani-skeptical-sanctions.html Congress wants to press ahead with sanctions on Iran but the White House may go slow if Iran improves cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. 6/18/13 5:43 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/congress-iran-election-rouhani-skeptical-sanctions.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_congress-iran-election-rouhani-skeptical-sanctions/IMG-20130618-00084.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 The House Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa discussed the future of Iranian sanctions at a hearing on June 18, 2013 Barbara Slavin 6/18/13 3:11 PM 55efb4f7-eabe-483f-a09c-2b5f32c20d55 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/liberman-no-diplomatic-agreement.html Former Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman rejects demands for settlement-construction freeze and prisoner releases as preconditions for negotiation. 6/18/13 5:40 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/liberman-no-diplomatic-agreement.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_liberman-no-diplomatic-agreement/1-RTXX2FL.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Israel's then-Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Liberman listens to a translator during a news conference with his Portuguese counterpart, Luis Amado, after their meeting in Lisbon, Jan. 25, 2011. Mazal Mualem 6/18/13 12:10 PM 70e0df7b-7c54-4ac2-a4c8-67770e8b8b34 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iraq-moves-troops-syria-border.html As attacks and casualties continue to increase, Iraqi authorities have sent troops to the border with Syria in an effort to slow the flow of jihadist fighters, 6/18/13 5:38 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iraq-moves-troops-syria-border.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_iraq-moves-troops-syria-border/Iraq-Syria BorderTroops.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 An Iraqi border policeman looks through a pair of binoculars near the Iraqi-Syrian borders at the Abu Kamal-qaim border crossing. Picture taken September 8, 2012. Ali Abel Sadah 6/18/13 10:49 AM c8c0f1e6-159d-43ef-aecf-a69aa9aff977 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/bahrain-jihadists-syria-salafism.html The recent deaths of Bahraini jihadists in Syria point to the rise of radical Salafism in Bahrain. 6/18/13 5:38 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/bahrain-jihadists-syria-salafism.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_bahrain-jihadists-syria-salafism/RTR3EZGW.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 A fighter from Islamist Syrian rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra runs with his weapon as their base is shelled in Raqqa province, eastern Syria, March 14, 2013. Husain Marhoon 6/18/13 4:40 AM e479ba6c-d155-456a-9bc7-b3b59bc27967 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/libya-intelligence-security-benghazi.html The collapse of Libya’s intelligence and security sectors requires urgent reform. 6/18/13 3:20 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/libya-intelligence-security-benghazi.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_libya-intelligence-security-benghazi/funeral.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Men grieve over a grave at the funerals for those killed in clashes at the Libya Shield Brigade headquarters, in Benghazi, June 9, 2013. Anas el-Gomati 6/18/13 4:14 AM b51b8372-cfdd-42fd-8cfc-187eaf0b4521 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-women-social-media.html Female activists in Gaza have turned to social media to air their thoughts, but on-the-ground activism is still constrained by a largely male-dominated society. 6/18/13 2:45 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-women-social-media.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_gaza-women-social-media/Gaza women.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 A teacher shows a Palestinian schoolgirl how to use a new laptop at a United Nations school in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, April 29, 2010. Lena Odgaard 6/18/13 5:01 AM c51c12e4-148c-4f2f-a071-399ef5804baf http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/hezbollah-role-syrian-conflict-influence.html Lebanese leaders consider the consequences of Hezbollah's intervention in Syria, including the potential for chaos in Arsal and the Bekaa. 6/18/13 2:36 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/hezbollah-role-syrian-conflict-influence.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_hezbollah-role-syrian-conflict-influence/Arsal.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Lebanese Army soldiers patrol Arsal after being deployed to tighten security, following the deaths of two men in clashes near an army checkpoint, June 6, 2013. Elie Hajj 6/18/13 10:56 AM 701da6d7-ebaf-4519-87cb-d45e3188011a http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/rouhani-recast-relations-levant.html Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani has an opportunity to chart a new course for the region. 6/18/13 1:22 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/rouhani-recast-relations-levant.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_rouhani-recast-relations-levant/RTX10QWD.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani gestures to the media during a news conference in Tehran, June 17, 2013. Giandomenico Picco 6/18/13 7:17 AM 30c715c9-c609-4d57-be6a-a37174097648 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/turkey-erdogan-syria-policy-qusair.html According to a recent poll, only 27.4% of Turks support their prime minister's Syria policies. 6/18/13 12:52 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/turkey-erdogan-syria-policy-qusair.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_turkey-erdogan-syria-policy-qusair/RTX10S0B.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pictured after his speech during a conference in Ankara, June 18, 2013. Semih Idiz 6/18/13 9:12 AM 533b6eb3-4097-44fe-b683-53316eb41486 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/taksim-turkey-tiananmen.html Can Turkey still be a role model of democracy for Arab and Islamic countries? 6/18/13 12:29 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/taksim-turkey-tiananmen.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_taksim-turkey-tiananmen/RTX10RSA.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 People stand during a silent protest at Taksim Square in Istanbul, June 18, 2013. Cengiz Candar 6/18/13 9:48 AM 0dfa6fbd-fafc-46f3-b65b-ea0a6ffde088 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/rouhani-surprise-iran-elections.html The election of Hassan Rouhani as president of Iran has defied analysts and created an opportunity for the West. 6/18/13 12:15 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/rouhani-surprise-iran-elections.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_rouhani-surprise-iran-elections/RTX10PBJ.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 A supporter of moderate cleric Hassan Rouhani celebrates his victory in Iran's presidential election along a street in Tehran, June 16, 2013. Yasmin Alem 6/18/13 10:33 AM 20588773-8917-4282-a627-bb22a244379c http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/algeria-islamists-presidential-campaign-successor-bouteflika.html With incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika looking less and less like a viable option for upcoming elections, Algeria’s Islamists are preparing to put up a candidate they anticipate will succeed him. 6/17/13 6:07 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/algeria-islamists-presidential-campaign-successor-bouteflika.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_algeria-islamists-presidential-campaign-successor-bouteflika/1-RTR348ML.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Algeria's president, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, attends a graduation ceremony at a military academy in Cherchell, 90 km [56 miles] west of Algiers, June 27, 2012. Atef Kadadra 6/17/13 12:10 PM http://alhayat.com/Details/524143 b500b581-9c38-48cd-9156-00675d400da9 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/business/2013/06/syrian-economy-losses-study.html A study reveals $40 billion in economic losses as a result of Syria's war. 6/17/13 6:03 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/business/2013/06/syrian-economy-losses-study.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_syrian-economy-losses-study/RTX10N7N.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Men ride a motorcycle past residents in a damaged street full of debris in Deir al-Zor, Syria, June 13, 2013. Ziad Haidar 6/17/13 7:36 AM http://assafir.com/Article.aspx?EditionId=2485&ChannelId=59883&ArticleId=1118&Author=زياد%20حيدر d3aa527d-e51e-4da9-b630-bcb12608dce5 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/egypt-june-30-scenarios-military-police.html Expectations grow for widespread violent clashes on the one-year anniversary of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi coming to power. 6/17/13 4:44 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/egypt-june-30-scenarios-military-police.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_egypt-june-30-scenarios-military-police/Egypt protests.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Anti-Morsi protesters, made up of intellectuals and artists, hold up signs in front of the Ministry of Culture in Cairo during a demonstration against what they claimed is increasing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood over the ministry, June 11, 2013. Mohannad Sabry 6/17/13 1:41 PM a88e5eb4-dc73-434d-b2ce-81e0ca372b4c http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/betlahemlive-bethlehem-palestinian-christians.html Hopes that tourists will return to Bethlehem are buoyed by a successful Bet Lahem Live Festival. 6/17/13 4:05 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/betlahemlive-bethlehem-palestinian-christians.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_betlahemlive-bethlehem-palestinian-christians/1-BetLahem Dancers.JPG?t=thumbnail_278 Diyar Dance Theater of Bethlehem takes the night stage at the Bet Lahem Live festival in Bethlehem, June 13, 2013. Daoud Kuttab 6/17/13 7:44 AM 1c85c587-2687-48ac-ba10-bcf578f580ed http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iran-hassan-rouhani-geneva-syria.html Inviting Iran to the Geneva II conference on Syria would be an encouraging gesture from Washington, supporting President-elect Hassan Rouhani in his moderate stance. 6/17/13 2:13 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iran-hassan-rouhani-geneva-syria.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_iran-hassan-rouhani-geneva-syria/RTX10ND6.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Then-presidential candidate Hassan Rouhani shows his ballot before casting it during the Iranian presidential election in Tehran, June 14, 2013. Kayhan Barzegar 6/17/13 10:33 AM ccb25f83-a071-4a38-b207-8c301d6f0186 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/a-new-poll-israelis-veering-left.html Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reeling from the loss of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as president of Iran and a recent poll signaling Israelis are tiring of settlement policies. 6/17/13 1:35 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/a-new-poll-israelis-veering-left.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_a-new-poll-israelis-veering-left/1-RTX10H62.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, June 9, 2013. Akiva Eldar 6/17/13 10:46 AM b0bc84d7-339a-41c2-ae6a-57bafbcc06e0 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iran-housing-sector.html President-elect Hassan Rouhani must tackle a seemingly intractable crisis in Iran’s housing sector. 6/17/13 11:38 AM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/iran-housing-sector.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_iran-housing-sector/RTR2IHNH.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 A general view of housing complexes in northwestern Tehran on a clear day, Feb. 12, 2011. Bijan Khajehpour 6/17/13 8:15 AM d40ad974-4f19-4848-a3ed-a0cc98ad8a9e http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-gypsies-dom-racism.html Gaza's Dom community is looked down upon and discrimated against by the broader population. 6/14/13 6:20 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-gypsies-dom-racism.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_gaza-gypsies-dom-racism/Dom wedding.JPG?t=thumbnail_278 A "fadous" band marching in the streets of Gaza City, Oct. 23, 2010. Asmaa al-Ghoul 6/14/13 9:04 AM f1c6d760-f9bc-49fa-bbc9-a303f74cf2fb http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/unifil-uncertain-future.html UN forces in Lebanon face challenges that could undermine the force’s credibility and status. 6/14/13 5:22 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/unifil-uncertain-future.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_unifil-uncertain-future/RTR3BO9R.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 A UN peacekeeper of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on an armored vehicle secures the area near the site of an explosion in the southern Lebanese town of Tair Harfa, Dec. 17, 2012. Jean-Loup Samaan 6/14/13 10:31 AM 4ee08153-5cd4-498f-8904-26dfcf55a197 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/syria-civil-society-corruption.html Civil society organizations working in Syria are often ineffective. 6/14/13 4:33 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2013/06/syria-civil-society-corruption.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_syria-civil-society-corruption/Pledging-conference-for-Syria.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to the media after the first day of the International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria in Bayan Palace, Kuwait, Jan. 30, 2013. Abed Haj 6/14/13 9:16 AM http://alhayat.com/Details/523512 9b2dde77-6dc4-41b4-a7db-bca3201591cf http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/russia-may-join-golan-force.html If true, it raises many questions about the shifting regional balance of forces. 6/14/13 4:24 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/russia-may-join-golan-force.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_russia-may-join-golan-force/UNDOF.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Peacekeeping troops from the unarmed United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (R) (UNTSO) and the UN Disengagement Observer Force (L) (UNDOF) stand on an observation tower located on the Israeli side of the 1973 Golan Heights cease-fire line with Syria, March 21, 2012. Jean Aziz 6/14/13 12:08 PM 4447bf90-a04b-4541-ab48-5c9ac797aef5 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/netanyahu-jeremiah-bleak-future.html Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu radiates pessimism concerning Israel's strategic landscape, when he is concerned about his own standing within his party and his coalition.  6/14/13 4:08 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/netanyahu-jeremiah-bleak-future.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_netanyahu-jeremiah-bleak-future/RTX108W1.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) listens to his aide-de-camp Eyal Zamir during the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, June 2, 2013. Ben Caspit 6/14/13 11:17 AM 3f434498-9f01-4101-8e8b-b674a3b261a5 http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-students-drugs-tramadol.html Depressed by the lack of employment opportunities, many Gaza graduates are turning to the drug Tramadol as a way to escape. 6/13/13 5:20 PM http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/06/gaza-students-drugs-tramadol.html http://www.al-monitor.com/files/live/sites/almonitor/files/contributed/jnt_news_gaza-students-drugs-tramadol/1-RTR2JEVX.jpg?t=thumbnail_278 Part of a haul of the prescription drug Tramadol seized by police, March 3, 2011. Rasha Abu Jalal 6/13/13 8:02 AM