Hamas a spectator in latest Gaza-Israel clash Hamas allowed Islamic Jihad to fire rockets at Israel in the vain hope Egypt would communicate directly with Gaza's rulers to restore the cease-fire. Palestine
Turkish laws fail to protect women's right to choose Turkey’s government asks whether "abortion is a disease.” Turkey
Iraqi candidates exchange government jobs for votes Despite the Iraqi people’s aspirations for a democratic state, many politicians hand out government jobs during election season to ensure votes. Iraq
Baghdad holds international anti-terrorism conference According to the conference organizers, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were invited, but didn’t attend, despite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's accusing of them of supporting terrorism. Saudi Arabia
Yemen faces increasing weapons, drugs smuggling problem The trafficking of weapons, drugs and human beings has become a major problem for Yemen. Yemen
Islamic Jihad leader: negotiations gain 'nothing' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Abdullah Shalah said, “Our performance from one war to another is getting better. If in 2012 we hit Tel Aviv, I think the enemy can imagine what can be beyond Tel Aviv.” Palestine
Erdogan turns East Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has tired of joining Europe, and aspires to "Putinize" Turkey not only by veering toward Muslim Asia but also by joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Israel
Christian Zionism criticized at evangelical conference Leading evangelical theologians scrutinized the biblical arguments Christian Zionists use to justify their unwavering support for Israel. Palestine
Pro-regime Sunni fighters in Aleppo defy sectarian narrative Pro-regime militias such as the Al-Quds and Baath Brigades are at the forefront of the battle against rebels in Aleppo, and they're mostly Sunni. Syria
The Saudi pivot to Asia The visit of Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud to China this week is also a signal to Washington. Saudi Arabia
Kaine calls for a new Syrian humanitarian strategy Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern, South and Central Asian Affairs, has introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for the Obama administration to introduce a humanitarian strategy in 90 days. Syria
Hamas trapped between Israel, Islamic Jihad While committed to keeping a quiet border with Israel, Hamas leaders fear the alliance between Iran and Islamic Jihad, and prefer Israel’s wrath to Iran’s anger. Palestine
Israel addresses terrorist threat from Africa Israel cannot actively fight extreme Muslim terror groups in Africa, but it can join the global development policy designed to combat poverty and the spread of these groups in the long term. Israel
Israeli opposition fails to oppose controversial bills The opposition parties' boycotting Knesset debates this week on three controversial bills is a failure for Israel's democratic process. Palestine
Egypt considers Gaza, Hamas security threats Egypt’s present government is more hostile to the Palestinian issue than any in recent memory, outlawing Hamas and giving top priority to keeping the border with Israel quiet. Palestine
Is ISIS planning for new Fallujahs? In recent weeks, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has changed its tactics in Iraq, focusing on expanding its scope of influence. Iraq
