Frank discussions between north and south suggest what must be done if Sudan is to remain one country, reports Asmaa El-Husseini from Juba

As the Shabab and Hizb Al-Islam militant groups battle it out for control of the southern port city of Kismayo, Somalia's future seems to be in the balance, writes Attiya Issawi

The Turkish refusal to allow Israel to participate in military exercises has plunged Turkish-Israeli relations into a crisis, and marks yet another power shift between civilian and military, writes Gareth Jenkins from Ankara

Nhial Deng, defence minister in the government of south Sudan says that the south is not strengthening its army to fight the north, but to maintain law and order. Asmaa El-Husseini interviews him in Juba

While some calm has returned to the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Muslim holy site is still under grave threat, writes Khaled Amayreh in occupied Jerusalem

The Syrian-Saudi summit gave Lebanon's leaders a green light to form a government, but domestic rivalries may mean delays, Lucy Fielder reports from Beirut

By way of Saudi King Abdullah's trip to Syria, the proverbial hatchet has been buried between the two countries, Bassel Oudat reports from Damascus