October 1st, 2014

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)
 

September 22nd

News:
Fatah and Hamas will meet in Egypt before indirect talks with Israel. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)

The UN reportedly wants international monitors to oversee the reconstruction work in Gaza. (Ha’aretz)

FM Lieberman says the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is “not at the heart” of the Middle East’s problems. (Jerusalem Post)

Local police in Gaza deactivate three tons of unexploded ordnance from Israel's recent military offensive. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 16 Palestinians in the West Bank. (Ma’an/PNN)

Palestinian youth throw rocks at a school bus in occupied East Jerusalem. (JTA)

The Jerusalem district prosecutor’s office is hardening its stance on Palestinian minors. (Ha’aretz)

Israel closes the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron to Muslims for two days. (Ma’an)

UNRWA calls on the international community to step up its opposition to an Israeli plan to forcibly relocate thousands of Bedouins. (Ha’aretz)

The UN General Assembly will focus on the war against ISIS. (AP)

US Amb. to the UN Power says other nations are pledging support for the fight against ISIS extremists. (AP)

Quartet Envoy Blair says airstrikes are not enough to beat ISIS. (AP)

Iran says it is ready to work with the US on ISIS, but wants more flexibility on its uranium enrichment program in exchange. (Reuters)

ISIS urges Sinai urgents to attack and behead Egyptian security forces. (Reuters)

The number of Syrian refugees in Turkey now totals 130,000. (AP/Reuters)

Syrian Kurdish fighters have reportedly halted an advance by ISIS fighters. (Reuters)

Pres. Erdogan says Turkey will not reveal details of the release of 49 hostages held by ISIS. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post)

Turkey is reportedly accused of colluding with ISIS. (Independent)

The US and Hezbollah are working separately on a common goal: to stop ISIS from moving into Lebanon. (New York Times)

The Jordanian army thwarts an “infiltration attempt” from Iraq. (Jordan Times)

Israel is worried that al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra is gaining control of Syrian side of the Golan frontier. (Washington Post)

FM Zarif hails “new chapter” in Iranian-Saudi relations. (Reuters)

Pope Francis calls on Muslims and all religious leaders to condemn Islamic extremists. (AP)

A FIFA official says the 2022 World Cup will not held in Qatar. (The Guardian)

Commentary:

Rami Khouri says Hamas and Fatah have behaved shamefully. (Daily Star)

Elhanan Miller explains why PM Netanyahu is “shunning” Palestinian society and media. (Times of Israel)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says although support in Gaza is growing for a boycott of Israeli goods, it is hard to envision such a campaign working. (Al-Monitor)

Nathan Thrall critiques US diplomacy on Israeli-Palestinian peace. (New York Times)

Hussein Ibish says, implausible though it sounds, ISIS is replicating some of  Mao Zedong’s key strategies. (The National)

Amer Al Sabaileh says “unclear” American strategy against ISIS could increase risks for the region. (Jordan Times)

Dexter Filkins says Iraq’s Kurds are more interested in breaking away than helping save Iraq from ISIS. (New Yorker)

Henri Barkey looks at how ISIS captured the 49 Turkish hostages in Iraq. (Foreign Policy)

Miriam Awadallah says Pres. Assad’s plan to portray himself to the world as the only alternative to ISIS was vain. (Annahar)

AP interviews Pres. Sisi. (AP)

Jamal Khashoggi says the Muslim Brotherhood keeps repeating the same mistakes. (Al Arabiya)

Tariq Alhomayed looks at noted Muslim cleric Qaradawi’s double standards on the fight against ISIS. (Asharq al-Awsat)

September 19th

News:

Pres. Abbas says the coming weeks will be crucial for the Palestinian cause. (Ma’an)

Reuters looks at possible successors to Abbas. (Reuters)

PM Hamdallah says no mechanisms are in place to implement the Palestinian reconciliation agreement. (Ma’an)

Despite a UN agreement, hurdles remain for Gaza reconstruction. (The National)
 

The Israeli government is expected to go forward with construction of the West Bank separation barrier in the vicinity of the historic village of Batir. (Ha’aretz/Ynet/Jerusalem Post)

Israeli jails are filled with Palestinian minors after this summer’s riots. (Ha’aretz)

Israel is preparing a draft law that would allow it to impose a special fee on goods passing through crossing points between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza. (Ha’aretz)

Gaza farmers want guarantees that Israel will not destroy their lands. (Al-Monitor)

A poll indicates that Israelis are more concerned about the peace process and the EU than they are Iran. (Times of Israel)

Israeli bulldozers level land in southern Gaza. (Ma’an)

Ramallah is selected to be among the world’s most “resilient” cities. (Ma’an)

France conducts its first airstrikes against ISIS. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post)

Gen. Dempsey says the US appreciates France's airstrike against ISIS extremists. (AP)

Congress gives the final approval to aid Syrian rebels in the fight against ISIS. (New York Times)

Pres. Obama says the Senate vote to authorize arming and training Syrian rebels shows the world that Americans are united in combating ISIS. (AP)

Thousands of Syrian Kurds have begun crossing into Turkey, fleeing ISIS fighters. (Reuters)

Ayatollah Sistani says Iraq needs outside help to fight ISIS. (Daily Star)

ISIS creates a police force in north west Iraq to “implement the orders of the religious judiciary.” (Reuters)

ISIS releases a new video showing a British journalist who says he is a prisoner of the extremists. (AP/Reuters/New York Times)

The US is reportedly tracking threats against the West by Al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria. (Wall Street Journal)

A bomb kills two Lebanese soldiers near the Syrian border. (AP)

An American official says Obama is not scheduled to meet Pres. Rouhani in New York, but he is open to such a meeting. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Alan Philps says the Gaza crisis obscures the long quest for Palestinian statehood. (The National)

AP interviews Hamas leader Abu Marzouk. (AP)

Abdullah Erakat asks if Abbas is Israel’s last chance for peace. (The Media Line)

Shlomi Eldar says Israel must help Palestinians in Gaza, regardless of Hamas. (Al-Monitor)

Benjy Cannon outlines five things Jewish-American leaders must know about college students. (Ha’aretz)

David Ignatius looks at James Clapper’s revelations on ISIS. (Washington Post)

Alexander Christie-Miller explains why he thinks Turkey will not fight with the US against ISIS. (Christian Science Monitor)

Ahmad Majdoubeh says the US should stick to diplomacy not militarism in the Middle East. (Jordan Times)

The Daily Star says Obama has proven that he is no strategist. (Daily Star)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed looks at Pres. Sisi’s foreign policy. (Al Arabiya)

H.A. Hellyer says Libya is not too big to fail, but must be saved anyway.  (The National)


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