Hamas optimistic that Palestinian reconciliation will stand Hamas leaders have thrown their full support behind the reconciliation deal with Fatah, hoping it will end their isolation and Gaza’s crippling siege. Palestine
Hezbollah sends Israel message in Shebaa bombing Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has claimed responsibility for the Shebaa Farms bombing that wounded Israeli soldiers, and Israel has filed a complaint at the United Nations, signaling that Israel understood the message. Palestine
Egyptians still in search of political messiah Despite their hopes, Egyptians will not find a leader with the power to effect the deep structural reform Egypt needs to move forward. Egypt
Israel's Oslo paradox Dismantling the Palestinian Authority will bring neither security nor order, will cost Israel about $2.7 billion a year and will add more injustice in construction zones allotted to Palestinians. Palestine
Erdogan erases Armenian taboo Most Turks are still conditioned against Armenians, but Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s message can help change attitudes. Turkey
UAE, Iran slowly rebuild trust High-level diplomatic visits between Abu Dhabi and Tehran in recent months are bringing to an end a chilly era in their relations. Legacy: Gulf
Leftist Knesset member: Israelis want social justice but vote Netanyahu In an interview with Al-Monitor, left-wing Knesset member Dov Khenin describes the essential Israeli political incoherence, where the Israeli public calls for social justice while voting for capitalist, right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Kerry may be ready for his Jim Baker moment The Fatah-Hamas reconciliation agreement now allows both parties to say “I told you so” and move into the post-peace process era, with all its consequences. Palestine
Rouhani seeks to limit IRGC role in politics, economy Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is resisting the president's efforts to limit its influence in political and economic affairs. Iran
Hamas deal last straw for Congress on US aid to Palestinians Some lawmakers are already calling for an immediate suspension of aid. Palestine
Does Hamas-Fatah reconciliation spell end for peace talks? The speaker of the Palestinian National Council, Salim Zannoun, does not expect anything worthwhile to come from further talks with Israel. Palestine
Washington loosens Egypt arms embargo While the Obama administration has allowed US helicopters to be shipped to Egypt, the question of Egypt’s democratic transition will frustrate deeper ties. Egypt
Lebanon's presidential stalemate The deadlock in the politicking over Lebanon's next president has a familiar feel. Lebanon
Iraqi ambassador predicts prolonged delay in forming new government In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iraqi Ambassador Lukman Faily said the United States is "more influential" than Iran in helping Iraq defeat al-Qaeda in Anbar. Iraq
Fatah, Hamas battle for control of mosques Fatah is tightly controlling mosques in the West Bank, claiming to shield them from political interference, but its adversaries accuse it of using mosques for its own political purposes. Palestine
US expected to tap Iraq envoy for Cairo US officials and diplomatic sources have told Al-Monitor that US Ambassador to Iraq Robert Stephen Beecroft is expected to be nominated as the next envoy to Egypt. Originals
