Protesters Signal Political Crisis For the Palestinian Authority Continual protests by Palestinians over the cost of living are more than about economic matters, Lena Odgaard writes for Al-Monitor. She reports that both people who are polled and pundits see the demonstrations as evidence of a struggle for leadership in the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Iran Looks to Afghanistan To End Political Isolation The Iranian government is looking to south Asia and Afghanistan in particular as a way to relieve its economic and diplomatic isolation, Fatemah Aman writes for Al-Monitor, explaining the move also could exploit a major US vulnerability — the US desire for an orderly troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by 2014. Iran
Exclusive Interview: Tunisian President Marzouki Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki speaks to Al-Monitor's Sophie Claudet just days after the US embassy in Tunis was stormed by Salafists. Marzouki said more could have been done to prevent the attack. He also acknowledged the rise and danger of Salafists, but said that force will not solve the problem of radical Islam. Tunisia
Iran Group MEK's Delisting Doesn't Signal US Approval The US removed a controversial Iranian opposition group from its list of terrorist organizations, Barbara Slavin and Laura Rozen report for Al-Monitor, after most of its members decamped from their base near Baghdad. The move does not mean the US condones the Mujahedin-e-Khalq, which has assassinated Americans and Iranians. Originals
Iranian Art Transcends Politics From ancient times, to thousands of years of monarchy, to today's Islamic Republic, Iranians have pursued spiritual progression, writes Roshanak Taghavi. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's contemporary Iranian art collection in New York conveys this pursuit through time, fusing historical and contemporary subjects spanning the realms of philosophy, politics and poetry. Iran
Morocco Cracks Down On Pro-Democracy Activists Morocco, praised by the US for its elections and reform efforts, has cracked down on demonstrators. During a court hearing in Casablanca, six Moroccan activists told a judge they were physically and sexually abused by police, said people at the trial. Aida Alami reports for Al-Monitor. Morocco
Palestine — The Sustainable Unsustainable Status Quo? In recent months, the issue of Palestine has been pushed off the world’s and region’s radar screens. But is an Israeli-Palestinian meltdown coming soon? And even if a major conflict broke out, would this improve the prospects for a deal? Aaron David Miller answers no — and no. Palestine
Romney's Gaffes Elevate Foreign Policy as Election Issue Not only has Mitt Romney underperformed as a candidate, he may have also emboldened those who oppose the US and further complicated an already complex set of foreign policy and security problems, Danny Sebright writes for Al-Monitor. Palestine
Fighting Fire With Satire in Syria As the Syrian regime continues to crack down on rebel fighters, people are fighting back with a wicked sense of humor, writes Ruby Russell. The Syrian leader himself has offered plenty of fodder, with his distinctive lisp and hyena-like laugh. Syria
Palestine to Bid For Observer Status at UN General Assembly The Palestinian Authority will seek non-member observer status for Palestine at the UN. The PA has a good chance of securing the majority vote it needs, but some member-states may oppose or abstain if they come under sufficient US pressure, writes Yezid Sayigh. The PA has good reason to hesitate on going through with a formal application. Palestine
Very Little Room for Diplomacy In ‘Fortress Israel’ Patrick Tyler’s new book, Fortress Israel, makes it hard to believe Israel’s leaders will allow much more time for a diplomatic resolution in Iran, writes Al-Monitor's Barbara Slavin. Their military background predisposes Israeli leaders to seek military solutions, argues Tyler, tactics which have turned the country into an isolated fortress. Egypt
Tunisia's Shiites Hunker Down Against Rising Discrimination Shiites in Tunisia say they’ve seen a rise in discrimination against them, particularly from Salafists or fundamentalist Sunni Muslims. “They threaten us online and in the street every day,” said one. “They are narrow-minded.” Mischa Benoit-Lavelle reports for Al-Monitor. Tunisia
Fifty Years After Breakup, FranceAnd Algeria Must Reconcile As Algeria celebrates (quite silently) the 50th anniversary of its independence from France, Karim Amellal writes that it is time for a new relationship between the two nations, as well as an acknowledgement of their shared, and painful, history. Culture & Society
Tunisians Unite Against Video But Differ on Violent Response Mischa Benoit-Lavelle speaks with Tunisians at the scene of Friday's assault on the US embassy in Tunis set off by an anti-Islamic video. Some protesters blamed the US for the video and even some police officers sympathized with the protesters' violent reaction. Others claimed the government hadn't done enough to corral the protests. Tunisia
Iran's Currency Faces Pressures Beyond the US-Led Sanctions Is the continuing plunge in the Iranian rial due to more than the US-led sanctions? Mohammad Ali Shabani argues that these may also have become a convenient scapegoat as President Ahmadinejad consolidates control over sectors of the Iranian economy, including its currency market. Iran
Yemen Protests: Confusion and Anger Over Anti-Islam Video Tear gas, protests, chants and slogans occupied the streets of Sanaa in Yemen on Friday, in response to an anti-Islam video that has sparked unrest across the region. Nafeesa Syeed reports from the scene, where many protesters admitted to not having seen the clip, by choice or circumstance. Still, people are perplexed about the purpose of the video. Yemen
