October 3rd

News:
 
Sweden will recognize the State of Palestine. (Reuters) 
 
The British parliament will vote on whether to recognize the State of Palestine on October 13. (Ha’aretz)
 
The EU says new settlement plans in occupied East Jerusalem pose a threat to peace and its relations with Israel. (Reuters/AFP)
 
Sec. Kerry will meet with Pres. Abbas in Cairo later this month. (Ha’aretz)
 
PM Netanyahu says a Palestinian push to try Israeli officials for war crimes at a UN tribunal would end any chance of reaching a peace deal. (JTA)
 
Abbas will ask donor countries for $4 billion for Gaza reconstruction. (AP/AFP)
 
Palestine’s UN Amb. Mansour says if UN does not an impose a deadline to end the occupation, Palestine will join the ICC. (Ha’aretz)
 
Palestinian officials call on the US to pressure Israel. (The Media Line)
 
Israeli police are on high alert to avert possible clashes as Jews and Muslims prepare to observe their major holidays. (AP/AFP/Times of Israel)
 
Workers in all hospitals in Gaza launch a partial strike in protest against failure to pay salaries for the last five months. (Ma’an) 
 
Israeli occupation forces detain six Palestinians, including three children in East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)
 
The Global AgeWatch Index says the occupied West Bank and Gaza is the third worst place to grow old. (Times of Israel) 
 
Ayatollah al-Sistani calls upon PM al-Abadi to create a national security force that doesn't promote sectarianism. (AP)
 
Kurdish fighters defending a Syrian border town warn of a likely massacre by ISIS extremists. (Reuters)
 
Australia authorizes special forces troops to go to Iraq. (Reuters)
 
VP Biden says the US-led coalition against ISIS will face a “long fight.” (Reuters)
 
ISIS presses offensives in Syria and Iraq. (Washington Post)
 
A poll indicates two out of three Americans back US airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. (AP) 
 
Protests erupt in Homs over a bombing that killed dozens of Syrian children in a school. (New York Times)
 
Yazidis in Iraq hope to return to their homes. (AP)
 
King Abdullah of Jordan says Russia is vital in dealing with regional challenges. (Jordan Times)
 
Commentary:
 
Former Palestinian PM Fayyad proposes structural changes to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. (Foreign Affairs)
 
The National says Palestinians need to the win the “PR war” against Israel. (The National)
 
The New York Times says Netanyahu’s commitment to the two-state solution is hard to square with the pursuit of further settlements. (New York Times)
 
Barak Ravid looks at Netanyahu’s recent trip to the US. (Ha’aretz)
 
Ron Kampeas looks at Netanyahu’s relationship with Peace Now. (JTA)
 
Elhanan Miller looks at changes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. (Times of Israel)
 
Ami Ayalon says Israel should create a Marshall plan for Gaza. (Al-Monitor)
 
Yossi Sarid says Israel is “killing” Palestinian culture. (Ha’aretz)
 
The New York Times says ISIS stands alone in its deliberate, systematic and public savagery. (New York Times)
 
Colum Lynch says women and children are for sale under ISIS. (Foreign Policy)
 
Alan Philps says Iraq’s army needs leadership. (The National)
 
David Ignatius says foreign nations are treating Syria as a “playground.”(Washington Post)
 
Ahmed al-Attar says the success of the anti-ISIS coalition will rest on the ability to motivate local populations into turning away from ISIS. (The National)

October 2nd

News:
 
Israel approves the construction of 2,500 settlement housing units in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
 
The White House says Israel’s new settlement activity would “poison the atmosphere” and distance Israel from “even its closest allies.” (JTA/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
 
The Palestinians may ask the UNSC to set a deadline of November 2016 for an Israeliwithdrawal from all occupied territories. (AP/Reuters/JTA/Times of Israel)
 
PM Netanyahu tells Pres. Obama a new Arab alliance could resuscitate Israel’s peace talks with the Palestinians. (New York Times/Washington Post/AFP/Ha’aretz)
 
Economy Minister Bennett criticizes Netanyahu for his commitment to the 2-state solution. (Ynet)
 
Sec. Kerry is reportedly planning new Israeli-Palestinian peace talks under the auspices of regional Arab powers. (Times of Israel)
 
Netanyahu clashes with UNSG Ban about postponing probe into shelling of UN facilities in Gaza. (Ha’aretz)
 
IDF Chief Gantz says long-term calm in Gaza requires economic incentives. (Times of Israel)
 
The first cabinet meeting of the Palestinian unity government will be held in Gaza afterEid al-Adha. (Ma’an)
 
Israel has agreed to allow Palestinians to export vegetables and fish from Gaza to the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
 
Egypt will close the Rafah crossing for Eid al-Adha. (Ma’an)
 
Palestinian landlords in Gaza refuse to rent to families targeted by Israel in the recent war. (Al-Monitor)
 
A Palestinian-born candidate, Raed Salah, is running for Berlin mayor. (AP)
 
Turkey’s parliament is considering giving the government power to launch military incursions into Syria and Iraq. (AP/Washington Post) 
 
Kurdish fighters say ISIS is closing in on the town of Kobani along the Syria-Turkey border. (AP/Reuters)
 
A UN report says ISIS extremists are committing “staggering crimes” in Iraq. (Reuters)
 
Egypt seizes a private newspaper to censor an article. (New York Times) \
 
The GCC demands the restoration of government authority in Yemen. (The National)
 
Commentary:
 
The Jordan Times says Netanyahu refuses to see that only peace with the Palestinians can bring about reconciliation with the rest of the Arab world. (Jordan Times)
 
Dana Milbank looks at the recent Obama-Netanyahu meeting. (Washington Post)
 
Ha’aretz asks how can Netanyahu speak of regional peace and at the same time expand Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
 
Raphael Ahren says Netanyahu would never actually agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state. (Times of Israel)
 
Michael Young says Obama’s reference to his administration’s “underestimation” of the ISIS threat was embarrassing. (The National)
 
Hassan Hassan says the US-led coalition against ISIS risks losing support if it does not clarify its aims. (The National)
 
The National welcomes the alliance between Sunni and Kurds against ISIS on both sides of the Syria-Iraq border. (The National)
 
Roger Cohen says Obama’s war against ISIS makes war with Iran even more unthinkable. (New York Times)
 
Faisal Abbas explains how the world can win the ideological war against ISIS. (Al Arabiya)
 
Nicholas Kristof says extremists like ISIS recognize that their greatest strategic threat comes not from a drone but from a girl with a book. (New York Times)
 
Joyce Karam looks at how losing the Senate could affect Obama’s foreign policy in the Middle East. (Al Arabiya)
 

October 1st

News:
Pres. Obama will meet with PM Netanyahu in Washington. (AP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

An Israeli official says Netanyahu would still meet with Pres. Abbas, despite UNGAspeech. (Times of Israel)

An Israeli official allegedly holds “secret talks” with PM Hamdallah. (Ynet)

Abbas is threatening to reevaluate the PA’s security ties with Israel. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

Hamas criticizes Netanyahu’s recent speech at the UNGA. (Xinhua) 

Israel will grant 500 Palestinians from Gaza three-day permits to visit Jerusalem over the Eid al-Adha holiday. (Ma’an)

Displaced Palestinians from Gaza receive 100 mobile homes. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces arrest 21 Palestinians in the West Bank. (Ma’an/PNN)

A survey indicates 24 percent of Jewish-Israeli consumers are boycotting Arab businesses in the wake of the summer’s Gaza conflict. (JTA/Jerusalem Post)

Three Israeli soldiers who fought in the recent Gaza war have committed suicide. (Ha’aretz/Ynet)

Israel’s population authority left Muhammad off the annual “Top 10” list of baby names, even though it was number one. (New York Times)

ISIS says it will expand into southern Syria within days. (The National)

US-led forces launch airstrikes on ISIS extremists who are besieging a Syrian Kurdish town near the Turkish border. (Reuters)

Turkey may send troops into Syria and Iraq and let allies use Turkish bases to fight ISIS. (Reuters/Washington Post)

Syrian Kurds continue their exodus to Turkey. (Washington Post)

PM Abbott says Australian aircraft will join the US-led coalition in air strikes against ISIS in Iraq. (Reuters)  

A Syrian official says 17 people, including 10 children, have been killed in explosions near a school in Homs. (AP)

The UN says at least 1119 Iraqis have been killed in September. (AP) 

Egypt is offering to train pro-government forces battling rival armed groups in Libya. (Reuters)

The Kuwaiti government is fighting dissent by revoking citizenships. (New York Times)

King Abdullah of Jordan will meet with Pres. Putin in Moscow to discuss terrorism. (Jordan Times)

Jordan and the US sign four grant agreements worth $633 million. (Jordan Times)

AP looks at Mecca’s transformation. (AP)

Commentary:

Thomas Friedman says Israel is adopting a strategy of containment toward Gaza. (New York Times)

Rami Khouri says Netanyahu’s UNGA speech signals how out of touch he is with the rest of the world. (Daily Star)

The National says Israel has the primary role in ending the occupation. (The National)

Amira Hass explains why Abbas was distressed at the UNGA. (Ha’aretz)

Peter Beinart says Netanyahu is wrong to conflate the Palestinian issue with “militant Islam.” (Ha’aretz)

Ben Caspit says Netanyahu’s UNGA speech did not identify opportunities or make any historic decisions. (Al-Monitor)

Nathan Brown looks at Netanyahu’s lies about ISIS and Hamas. (Jewish Daily Forward)

Avi Issacharoff says Jordan and Israel enjoy close security and political cooperation. (Times of Israel)

Smadar Perry asks if Egypt will suspend Israeli-Palestinian talks after UNGA accusations. (Ynet)

David Ignatius says unifying the moderate Syrian opposition is the biggest challenge in Syria. (Washington Post)

Andrew Thompson and Jeremy Suri say ISIS extremists are neither new nor unfamiliar to the US. (New York Times)

The Daily Star says FM al-Moallem’s speech at UNGA smacked of “delusion and detachment” from reality. (Daily Star)

Aaron David Miller says the US is facing a conundrum in Syria. (Foreign Policy)

Tariq Alhomayed asks if US intelligence truly underestimated the ISIS threat. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Diana Moukalled says the Lebanese army is committing abuses against Syrian refugees with impunity. (Al Arabiya)

Elizabeth Dickinson looks at  which groups Qatar funds and how that complicates its relationship with the US. (Foreign Policy)

Ziauddin Sardar says Saudi Arabia has bulldozed centuries of beauty and diversity in Mecca. (New York Times)

September 30th

News:
PM Netanyahu says Hamas and ISIS are "branches of the same poisonous tree."(AP/Reuters/Ma’an/JTA/Ha’aretz/The National)
The PLO says Netanyahu’s UNGA address was a “blatant manipulation of facts.”(AFP/Ha’aretz) 
The US says Hamas and ISIS pose different terror threats. (Ha’aretz/The Media Line)
Pres. Abbas seems to be winning public opinion abroad but losing at home. (The Media Line)
A new Palestinian poll indicates popular support for Hamas is dropping among Palestinians a month after the end of the Gaza war. (Times of Israel) 
FM Lieberman accuses Abbas of losing “all touch with reality.” (Times of Israel)
DM Ya’alon says Israel destroyed some 80 percent of Palestinian rockets and mortars in Gaza during “Operation Protective Edge.” (JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Jewish extremist settlers occupy 23 homes in a neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)
Israeli occupation forces detain 10 Palestinians in the West Bank. (Ma’an)
Saudi Arabia transfers $60 million to the PA. (Ma’an)
Gaza sweet potatoes are exported to Europe for the first time since the beginning of the Israeli blockade. (Ma’an)
US-led airstrikes hit ISIS targets in Syria near the Turkish border. (AP)
France says number of French radicals in Syria and Iraq has grown 74 percent this year, to about 1,000 people. (AP)
Iraqi Kurdish forces capture a strategic border crossing and several villages from ISIS extremists in northern Iraq. (Reuters)
The decision by Saudi Arabia and the UAE to strike ISIS in Syria reflects their ambition to extend regional influence. (Reuters)
The New York Times looks at the Obama administration’s missteps in assessing the ISIS threat. (New York Times)
The Syrian opposition is skeptical about US airstrikes. (New York Times)
Qatar’s FM al-Attiya denies paying ransoms to militant groups. (Reuters)
Iran will give a military grant to the Lebanese army. (Reuters)
The World Economic Forum says youth unemployment is spurring the spread of violent extremism across the region. (The National)
 
Commentary:
Nahum Barnea says Netanyahu’s UNGA speech was all talk and no action. (Ynet)
Barak Ravid says Netanyahu’s speech lacked any strategy or a detailed diplomatic program. (Ha’aretz)
Akiva Eldar says Abbas’ UNGA speech reflects the Palestinians' despair of any hope for peace with the current Israeli leadership. (Al-Monitor)
Grant Rumley looks at the recent Hamas-Fatah unity agreement. (Foreign Policy)
Jeffrey White looks at the combat performance of Hamas in the recent Gaza war. (Washington Institute)
Joel Braunold says “peace” doesn’t belong solely to Israelis, nor “justice” to Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)
AP interviews FM al-Moallem. (AP)
Faisal Al Yafai says the Syrian regime is the problem not the solution in the fight against ISIS. (The National)
Jenna Krajeski and Sebastian Meyer say how Iraq’s Kurds deal with sectarian tensions will show whether they can truly govern an inclusive, independent state. (New York Times)
Joseph Lieberman and Mark Wallace say the fight against “brutal extremists” can and will be won. (The National)
David Ignatius says young entrepreneurs are seeking change in the Middle East. (Daily Star)

September 29th

News:

Pres. Abbas urges the UN to press for a deadline to end the Israeli occupation. (New York Times/Ha’aretz/The National)
 
The US, Britain and Australia will reportedly not support a Palestinian bid forstatehood at the UN. (Ha’aretz)
 
PLO officials were reportedly divided on the approach Abbas should take before his UNGA speech. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)
 
PM Netanyahu says he will refute “all of the lies” directed at Israel with regard to Israel's recent war in Gaza in his UNGA address. (AP/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
 
Israeli opposition leader Herzog blames Netanyahu’s government for deteriorating relations with Palestinians. (Ynet)
 
FM Shukri says demilitarizing Gaza is not open for discussion now. (Times of Israel)
 
Hamas is reportedly ready to accept PA forces at Gaza crossings. (Times of Israel)
 
The Washington Post looks at Hamas’ radio station in Gaza. (Washington Post)
 
An Israeli NGO says about 25 percent of new Israeli homes in Jerusalem in the first half of the year were in the occupied east. (AFP)
 
Israeli occupation forces demolish a 5-story residential building in Abu Dis. (Ma’an/PNN)
 
The war in Gaza delivers a serious blow to Israel’s tourism industry. (AP)
 
Pres. Obama acknowledges that “contradictory” Syria policies helps Pres. Assad. (AP/New York Times/The National)
 
US-led airstrikes target ISIS positions in four Syrian provinces. (AP/Reuters)
 
The Al-Nusra Front says militants will attack the West in retaliation for US-led airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. (Reuters/AP/New York Times)
 
The Iraqi military has begun a campaign to re-enlist soldiers and officers who abandoned their units. (New York Times)
 
Germany has begun training 32 peshmerga fighters. (AP)
 
Turkey is reportedly moving toward an alliance with the US on Syria. (New York Times/AFP)
 
Syrian children in refugee camps suffer from mental health issues. (Washington Post)
 
A White House official says a nuclear deal with Iran could initiate a possible resumption of ties. (JTA)
 
A resolution proposed by Arab states regarding Israel's nuclear arsenal isdefeated at an IAEA meeting. (AFP)
 
Commentary:
 
ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali says as the US assembles a coalition against ISIS, now is the time to begin planning for the "day after." (The Hill)
 
Hussein Ibish says Abbas’ conundrum in his UNGA speech is also an American problem. (The National)
 
Nahum Barnea says peace talks are off the table and what’s next for Israel and the Palestinians is completely unclear. (Ynet)
 
Pierre Krahenbuhl says the world and Israel must understand that the status quo is unsustainable in Gaza. (Foreign Policy)
 
Rami Khouri says Abbas should rely on international law. (Daily Star)
 
Ha’aretz says Netanyahu has a policy to keep the occupation going. (Ha’aretz)
 
Michael Oren says Abbas’ strategies could be more dangerous to Israel than Hamas. (Ynet)
 
The Jordan Times says Palestinians are frustrated by futile talks with Israel. (Jordan Times)
 
Uri Savir says future Egypt-Israel ties could depend on the Palestinian issue. (Al-Monitor)
 
Aaron Zelin asks if Gaza will be the global jihadists' next ”ground zero.” (Ha’aretz)
 
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid says military containment is only a partial solution to ISIS’s evils. (The National)
 
The National says restoring hope is key to beating the extremists. (The National)
 
Roger Cohen says for ISIS, slaughter is an end in itself. (New York Times)
 
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the slaughter of James Foley was a direct cause of the anti-ISIS alliance. (Al Arabiya)
 
Jackson Diehl says ignoring Assad has consequences in Syria. (Washington Post)
 
Salman Aldossary says Turkey is damaging its reputation and losing respect due to its unending provocations. (Asharq al-Awsat)
 
Marwan Muasher and Kim Ghattas say Lebanon can provide a template for managing diversity and rejecting radicalism under difficult circumstances. (Jordan Times)

September 26th

Confronting ISIL: The Day and Decade "After"
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In The Huffington Post - September 26, 2014 - 12:00am

Confronting ISIL: The Day and Decade "After" 

»

News:

The text of the recent Fatah-Hamas agreement is released. (Jerusalem Post)

Pres. Abbas will ask the UN to set a timeline for the end of the Israeli occupation. (Ma’an/Times of Israel/Ynet)

Palestinians in Gaza displaced by Israel’s military offensive are still waiting for solutions. (Ma’an) 

Israeli occupation forces impose restrictions on the entry of Palestinian worshipers to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. (Ma’an)

The PA tourism ministry encourages more travel to Palestine. (Ma’an)

OneVoice Palestine launches "the land is ours" campaign to promote the role of young Palestinians. (PNN)

For the second day, US-led air strikes hit oil installations held by ISIS in Syria. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/Washington Post)

PM Cameron urges the British parliament to approve "years" of air strikes against ISIS in Iraq. (Reuters)

Denmark joins the fight against ISIS. (AP/Ha’aretz)

PM al-Abadi expresses support for American-led airstrikes in Syria against ISIS, with some reservations. (New York Times)

ISIS advances towards a strategic town on northern Syria's border with Turkey. (Reuters) 

Members of the Al-Nusra Front are pushing their group to cooperate with ISIS in the face of US-led airstrikes. (Reuters)

The FBI says there are about 12 Americans fighting in Syria, not 100. (AP)

The FBI says they have identified the ISIS extremist who appeared on two videos in which American journalists were beheaded. (New York Times)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says more than 200 fighters have joined ISIS since Pres. Obama said he would strike the group in Syria. (Reuters)

A woman in Raqqa is filming life under ISIS rule by concealing a camera in the folds of her cloak. (New York Times)

Pres. Obama says Egypt is crucial to US security in the Middle East. (AP/Times of Israel)

The US is reportedly considering presenting a new offer to Iran for the P5+1 negotations. (AP) 

Pres. Rouhani says the west’s “blunders” aided the rise of ISIS. (New York Times/Washington Post/The National) 

Commentary:

Asmaa al-Ghoul says Islamic Jihad’s popularity is growing after the Gaza war. (Al-Monitor)

The National says Obama’s UN General Assembly speech lacked harsh words for Israel. (The National)

Alan Philps says after the air strikes, Iraq will require a political solution. (The National)

David Ignatius looks at the jihadist manual that foreshadowed ISIS. (Washington Post)

Fareed Zakaria says the fight against ISIS must include Iran. (Washington Post)

H.A. Hellyer says the battle against ISIS cannot “blind the world” to Pres. Assad’s sins.  (The National)

The Daily Star says, without a concerted effort to remove Assad from power, the ongoing bloodshed in Syria will continue unabated. (Daily Star)

David Kenner looks at Turkey’s welcoming of Syrian Kurdish refugees. (Foreign Policy)

Abdallah Schleifer says solar energy is the solution to Egypt’s power cuts and pollution. (Al Arabiya)

September 25th

News:

Pres. Obama tells UN General Assembly that status quo in the West Bank and Gaza is “unsustainable.” (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Reuters)

The Palestinian unity government will reportedly take immediate control of Gaza. (AFP/Jerusalem Post) 

PM Netanyahu says Cairo ceasefire talks are aimed at bolstering Israel’s security, not a peace deal with the Palestinians. (AFP)

PLO official Ashrawi says its time for the UK and Europe to recognize the state of Palestine. (PNN)

Despite the truce, Gaza fishermen are still under fire at sea. (AFP)

Israel closes the Jenin checkpoint for Rosh Hashana. (Ma’an)

Obama calls on the international community to rally behind his expanding military campaign to stamp out ISIS and its "network of death." (AP/New York Times/JTA)

US-led air strikes target Syrian oil installations held by ISIS extremists. (AP/Washington Post/The National)

France is considering whether to extend its air strikes to Syria. (AP/Reuters)

King Abdullah of Jordan urges the international defeat of jihadists. (Times of Israel/Jordan Times)

Kurdish forces in northern Syria are pushing back an advance by ISIS extremists towards the border town of Koban. (Reuters)

An Iraqi woman activist, Samira Salih al-Nuaimi, is killed by ISIS. (AP)

An Algerian offshoot of Al-Qaeda beheads a French hostage. (AP)

The World Food Program says more than 1 million Iraqis are receiving emergency food aid. (Reuters) 

The US and France warn their citizens of risk of attacks in Turkey. (Reuters)

The New York Times looks at the threat from the Khorasan group. (New York Times)

The Treasury Department imposes new terrorism sanctions on people and entities that support ISIS. (New York Times)

ISIS’ follows an interpretation of Islam rooted in Saudi religious thought. (New York Times)

UAE confirms first female pilot, Major Mariam Al Mansouri, is leading air strikes against ISIS. (The National)

A raid by the Lebanese army at the Syrian border, kills one militant. (Reuters)

Pres. Rouhani praises cooperation with the US. (New York Times)

Egypt denounces Pres. Erdogan’s negative comments regarding Pres. Sisi. (Xinhua/Ha’aretz)

The EU warns that Al-Qaeda may carry out attacks to assert its relevancy. (Ha’aretz)

Commentary:

Michael Young looks at the legacy of Camp David. (The National)

Roger Cohen says Obama is right to lead on ISIS. (New York Times)

Jeffrey Goldberg looks at Obama’s speech at the UN General Assembly. (The Atlantic)

The National says Arab states are right to join the fight against ISIS. (The National)

The Jordan Times says the fight against ISIS is “our war.” (Jordan Times)

David Rothkopf says behind the scenes at the UN, a more unsettling story emerges of Syria, Iraq, and fighting ISIS. (Foreign Policy)

Dov Zakheim says its time to retool Obama’s anti-ISIS strategy to one of containment. (Foreign Policy)

The New York Times says it is significant that world leaders have realized the need to take action against violent extremists crossing borders. (New York Times)

Michael Young says the Lebanese army is being “sucked” into Syria. (Daily Star) 

Joyce Karam looks at Iran’s relationship with Al-Qaeda. (Al Arabiya)

Eyad Abu Shakra asks if we have entered the “Iranian era.” (Asharq al-Awsat)

September 24th

News:

Sec. Kerry meets with Pres. Abbas to discuss the situation in Gaza. (AFP/PNN)

Palestinian factions meet in Cairo. (Reuters/Ma’an)

Kerry announces $71 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. (Ma’an)

Abbas will reportedly submit a resolution to the UNSC seeking a three-year timetable for thewithdrawal of Israeli forces. (Ha’aretz/AP/The Media Line)

Egypt opens the Rafah crossing for students from Gaza. (Ma’an)

Israeli forces release video of raid that killed two Hamas members suspected of abducting and killing the three Israeli teenagers. (Washington Post)

Clashes erupt in the occupied West Bank after the killing of two Hamas members. (Washington Post)

Israeli police clash with Palestinians at the Al Aqsa compound. (Ma’an/Xinhua/JTA/Ha’aretz)

Overnight air strikes hit ISIS-held territory in Syria near the Turkish border. (Reuters/New York Times)

American military officials say the US is carrying out the vast majority of strikes on ISIS. (New York Times)

The US reportedly informed Iran of intent to strike ISIS in Syria. (Reuters)

NSA Rice says there's no plan to commit American ground combat forces to the fight against ISIS. (AP)

The US cannot confirm the death of the Khorasan group leader in Syria. (AFP)

Pres. Erdogan says Turkey is considering a military role against ISIS. (AP)

The British parliament will be recalled to vote on Iraq air strikes. (Reuters)

An Iranian general says 70 Iranian aides were on the ground in Iraq helping the Kurdish forces battle ISIS. (AP)

Extremist Jordanian cleric Abu Qatada is cleared of charges of conspiring in a plot to attacktourists. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Jordan Times) 

Jordan’s Central Bank says it still supports the Arab Bank which has been found liable in a US court for facilitating terrorism. (Ma’an)

King Abdullah of Jordan outlines Jordan’s future vision at the Clinton Global Initiative. (Jordan Times)

Commentary:

Chemi Shalev analyzes Abbas’ speech at New York’s Cooper Union. (Ha’aretz) 

JTA interviews former Special Envoy Indyk. (JTA)

The Times of Israel interviews Chief Israeli Negotiator Livni. (Times of Israel)

Avi Issacharoff says Hamas may return to conflict since it failed to make significant gains in the Gaza war. (Times of Israel)

Ariv Shavit says the Israeli left must revive Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Ha’aretz)

The Jordan Times says peace with the Palestinians and, by extension, with the rest of the Arab world, will benefit Israelis. (Jordan Times)

Hussein Ibish says, in the long-run, Pres. Assad will not be a beneficiary of airstrikes against ISIS in Syria.  (Now)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed thanks Pres. Obama for finally “joining” the anti-ISIS coalition. (Al Arabiya)

The National says attack on ISIS is an important first step in a longer battle. (The National)

The Daily Star says Arab countries in the anti-ISIS coalition have been silent. (Daily Star)

Thomas Friedman says the rise of ISIS is triggering some long overdue soul-searching by Arabs. (New York Times)

David Ignatius says Obama’s ISIS strategy is finally taking shape. (Washington Post)

The New York Times says Obama’s Syria’s strategy is not a convincing plan. (New York Times)

The Los Angeles Times asks if Obama’s ISIS escalation is justified. (Los Angeles Times)

David Motadel says “jihadist states” have a history, and it shows they always fail. (New York Times)

Aaron David Miller looks at six fictions related to taking on ISIS. (Foreign Policy)

Rami Khouri looks at three important developments in the Middle East. (Daily Star)

September 23rd

News:

Israel kills two Palestinians in the occupied West Bank accused of kidnapping andmurdering three Israeli teenagers. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post/AFP/JTA)

Hamas leader Zahar says the Palestinian delegation will go ahead with indirect ceasefire talks in Cairo. (Reuters/Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Pres. Abbas meets with Arab League head al-Arabi in New York. (Ma’an)

Abbas tells American students he will present a new timetable for peace talks with Israel. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

An American official says Pres. Obama will host PM Netanyahu at the White House on October 1st. (AFP/JTA/Times of Israel)

King Abdullah of Jordan and Pres. Sisi discuss Middle East peace in New York. (Jordan Times)

A US jury finds the Arab Bank liable in terror attacks. (AP/New York Time/AFP/Jordan Times)

The US and five Arab allies launch the first air strikes on ISIS fighters in Syria. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post)

The Syrian opposition welcomes the US-led air strikes on ISIS strongholds in Syria. (Reuters)

The Syrian regime says the US informed it of planned attack on ISIS, hours before the air strikes. (Reuters)

Gen. Dempsey says the US wanted to make sure that ISIS knew they have no “safe haven.” (AP)

Syrian Kurds want to coordinate with the US-led coalition in the fight against ISIS. (Reuters)

The World Food Program says because of reduced resources, rations for refugees from Syria and elsewhere will also be reduced. (New York Times)

Turkey closes its border to Syrians fleeing ISIS. (Washington Post)

France says it will not stop fighting ISIS extremists in Iraq despite the kidnapping of a French citizen in Algeria. (AP)

After six weeks, US air strikes fail to dislodge ISIS in Iraq. (New York Times)

ISIS extremists kill 40 Iraqi soldiers and parade others who have been captured. (AP)

John Cantlie, a British hostage held by ISIS, warns of “another Vietnam” in a new video. (New York Times) 

Israel downs a Syrian war plane over the Golan Heights. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/AFP/JTA/Ha’aretz)

PM Cameron will meet with Pres. Rouhani in New York. (Times of Israel)

Commentary:

Jonathan Cook says the protest by Israel’s “refuseniks” against the country's abuse of Palestinians sheds light on the mechanisms of occupation, oppression and intimidation. (The National)

Adnan Abu Amer says if Cairo ceasefire talks fail, Hamas will probably not return to war. (Al-Monitor)

The Jerusalem Post interviews Netanyahu. (Jerusalem Post)
Eric Yoffie asks if Jewish American leaders can publicly question Israel’s policies and “survive.” (Ha’aretz)

Jeffrey Goldberg gives his observations about the US-led air strikes against ISIS in Syria. (The Atlantic)

The Washington Post says ISIS is exploiting Obama’s weaknesses. (Washington Post)

Mustafa Akyol says Turkey has to reckon with a possible local backlash from joining the anti-ISIS military campaign. (New York Times)

The Jordan Times says Jordan is fighting the “good fight” against ISIS. (Jordan Times)

James Traub says Obama’s Middle East allies are joining the US-led coalition against ISIS for different reasons. (Foreign Policy)

Diana Moukalled explains why Western women are joining ISIS. (Al Arabiya)

Faisal Al Yafai says Quartet Envoy Blair has forgotten the lesson of his own history in Iraq. (The National)

Hassan Barari asks if a deal with Iran is possible. (Jordan Times)
 

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