Hamas: Israel fails to implement cease-fire deal Israel is keeping Gaza's borders closed as efforts to begin reconstruction stall, heightening the despair of ordinary Palestinians and frustrating Hamas. Palestine
Iraqi Shiites join Sunnis to fight Islamic State The Islamic State aimed to create a Shiite-Sunni conflict to impose its control, but Iraqi Sunnis have instead turned to help from Shiites to get rid of the extremist group. Iraq
Outsized ambitions leave Turkey with hefty bill Turkey is isolated not just by its neighbors but also by nations further afield. Turkey
Is Algeria's dialogue initiative for Libya still viable? Algeria had announced a dialogue initiative bringing together Libya’s rival factions to be held in October, but the month passed without a meeting being held. Egypt
Turks' paranoia explained by their past Polls show that Turkish society is inherently suspicious of all other countries, and even fellow Turks. Turkey
How Hamas uses Temple Mount Hamas leaders have been calling on West Bank Palestinians to attack Israel in efforts to provoke a religious war against Israel, as they depict a situation where the Israeli right wing is about to take over the Temple Mount. Palestine
Obama wants $165 million for Syrian rebels The US president’s $5.6 billion emergency war-fighting request includes a plan to shore up the Syrian opposition. Iraq
Destruction of olive trees in Turkey triggers protests A Turkish company cutting down 6,000 olive trees serves as the latest example of disregard for the environment in Turkey. Turkey
Egypt’s Islamists try to distance themselves from IS As Egypt’s Islamist groups fail to take a common stance on domestic politics, they agree at least that the Islamic State is giving political Islam, as a movement, a bad reputation. Egypt
Ramallah tech expo highlights Palestinian IT industry Expotech 2014 is being held in Ramallah, showcasing the Palestinian IT industry, as IT activists urge the Palestinian government to invest more in the sector. Palestine
Hamas, Fatah trade accusations over Gaza bombings Fatah has accused Hamas of being behind a series of bombings targeting Fatah leaders in Gaza, while Hamas has accused former Fatah strongman Mohammed Dahlan of perpetrating the attacks. Palestine
Syria faces decisive battles in north, south Rebels are making gains in the south while government forces are closing on Aleppo city, and the outcomes of these battles may determine how final negotiations proceed. Syria
Iran negotiator thanks supreme leader for support In an interview, Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has praised Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for supporting and guiding Iran's nuclear negotiators. Iran
Jon Stewart: My film not meant to demonize Iran "Rosewater," the first movie by "Daily Show" host Jon Stewart is being released 10 days before the deadline for an Iran nuclear deal and some Iran experts worry that critics of a deal may cite the human rights abuses depicted in the film to try to sabotage an agreement. Iran
Peretz's Cabinet resignation hastens Israeli elections The resignation of Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz accelerated two low-intensity processes: the disintegration of the government and the consolidation of center-left forces, with the objective of creating an anti-Netanyahu bloc. Palestine
Turks increasingly sympathetic to Islamic State The Islamic State's declaration of a caliphate has generated conflicting views in Turkey. Turkey
