Aoun calls for 'Levantine common market,' safe return of Syrian refugees

Lebanon's president outlines a regional approach to combating poverty and extremism; Mahmoud Abbas nears moment of truth regarding Dahlan’s role in Fatah-Hamas talks.

Palestine

Palestinian leader rejects compromise on 'martyr' stipends

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas zeroed in on the two-state solution in his speech to the UN General Assembly, giving no quarter to talk about compromising on the support provided to families of martyrs.

Palestine

New Israeli closure at Al-Aqsa escalates tensions

Israeli-Jordanian ties are likely to deteriorate following an Israeli court decision to close the Bab al-Rahma building inside Al-Aqsa Mosque and to try the Islamic Religious Endowments as a terrorist organization.

Palestine

PA struggles to stop gas smuggling in the West Bank

Smuggling adulterated fuel from Israel into the Palestinian territories has been on the rise.

Palestine

At UN, Netanyahu uses Iran threat to sideline Palestinians

In a move that seemed coordinated with the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revived the Iranian nuclear threat in Israel and around the world, pushing the Palestinian issue off the international agenda.

Palestine

How Israel's support is swaying Kurdish sentiment ahead of referendum

Turkey’s Kurds may have divergent views on Israeli backing for the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, but their support for the independence bid remains robust.

Iraq

Israeli right wing takes on Supreme Court

The claim by HaBayit HaYehudi leaders that their latest initiative is intended to create a balance of power between the different government branches is nothing but a smoke screen; their real purpose is to undermine the Supreme Court.

Israel

How sweet Jewish New Year tradition causes bitter fight in Israel

Israeli beekeepers are concerned about shrinking living spaces for bees, the challenges of wild bees and nature preservation activists.

Israel

Is Hamas offering too little too late?

Hamas is willing to display flexibility in order to ease the heavy isolation it faces, but what its leaders view as a significant compromise is likely far from what Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is willing to accept.

Palestine

Peres' secret plan for two-state solution

Late Israeli President Shimon Peres never gave up on peace, even during the last few years of his life when he developed an initiative for a two-state solution.

Palestine

Could energy deals warm relations between Egypt, Israel?

Speculation about Egypt possibly privatizing some of its electricity distribution companies is sparking fears of expanded normalization with Israel.

Egypt

Palestinian Authority looks to reinvent itself

A member of Fatah’s Central Committee has taken to the media to declare a shift in focus for the Palestinian Authority toward more revolutionary politics.

Palestine