Turkish military wary of Erdogan plan for Syrian buffer zone

The United States remains opposed to a no-fly zone in northern Syria; Masrour Barzani calls for "amicable divorce" for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Jacky Hugi writes that Israel should back the Syrian government "at any price."

Iraq

Questions emerge over Hamas' ability to secure Gaza

The disappearance of Mahmoud Salfiti, a Salafist prisoner who had been granted a 24-hour leave to visit his family, raises questions about Hamas’ ability to control and secure the Gaza Strip.

Palestine

Netanyahu coalition's days may be numbered

The natural gas fiasco, in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had to withdraw his proposed outline from a Knesset vote, is yet another sign of the fragility of his coalition.

Israel

Israel, PA officials disagree over source of West Bank violence

Despite the recent spate of attacks, Palestinian security officials argue that neither Fatah nor Hamas are interested in escalating the situation with Israel and emphasize that Israeli policies create continuous frustration among West Bank residents.

Palestine

Will Israel invade West Bank?

Israeli-Palestinian relations are back to square one as Israel recently threatened to invade and occupy the West Bank.

Palestine

Hamas denies connection to West Bank attacks

Despite a lack of evidence of political affiliation of the attackers, the acts of violence against Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank are raising concerns about possible involvement by Hamas.

Palestine

Netanyahu puts American Jews in tight spot

US Jews feel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defiant policy on the Iran agreement and talks with the Palestinians forces them to choose between the US agenda and interests and their support of Israel.

Palestine

Israelis give ballroom dancing a spin

The southern city of Ashdod, home to many immigrants from Russia, is becoming a ballroom dancing center as more Israelis join dancing schools for fun and even participate in international events.

Israel

Israel should back Assad

Based on past experience and years of calm borders with Syria, Israel must abandon whatever ties it develops with Syrian rebels and work with its Western allies to stabilize President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Israel

Recent attacks not a sign of third intifada

The Israeli security apparatus believes that despite a recent rise in terror attacks in the West Bank, most Palestinians prefer to keep the calm.

Palestine

New report outlines Al-Aqsa Mosque recommendations

The International Crisis Group report on Al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem tackles this controversial issue for Muslim Palestinians and Israeli Jews, and proposes recommendations to de-escalate the tension between all concerned parties, including Jordan.

Palestine

Israel the final frontier for science fiction

Israeli science fiction fans are persuaded that the traditional low interest of Israelis in science fiction arts is about to be replaced by stronger involvement in the genre, especially in the sphere of science fiction cinema.

Israel