Iran, Israel and Their Red Lines Over Syria Meir Javedanfar writes that a transfer of Syria’s chemical-weapon stockpiles to Iran may be a better option that the weapons falling into the hands of groups linked to al-Qaeda. Israel
Time to Stop the Bleeding in Syria Clovis Maksoud comments on the need for international support to end the conflict in Syria. Lebanon
Gaza Hospital Performs Strip's First Transplant Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip has performed the territory's first-ever transplant, courtesy of international assistance, Rami Almeghari reports. Palestine
Anger at Israeli Detention Of Palestinian Activist Linah Alsaafin reports on last week's arrest of Palestinian activist Hasan Karajah by Israeli forces. Palestine
Israel Must Invest to Deter Iran Alon Ben David writes that investing in preparing a military option against a potential Iranian nuclear weapon is not an "adventurous fantasy." Israel
Israel Defense Budget Can Be Cut Idan Grinbaum calls for a serious public debate and major cuts in the Israel defense budget. Israel
Armenian Women in Istanbul Subject to Racist Attacks The attacks on elderly Armenian women in Samatya show that racism is alive in Turkey as a latent threat, but also serves as a demonstration that Turkey now has a civil society that immediately stands up against racism, writes Cengiz Çandar. Turkey
How Did Yachimovich Lose The Israeli Center to Lapid? Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid and the big winner in the Israeli elections, succeeded where Labor leader Shelly Yachimovich failed, by accurately capturing the frustrations and hopes of centrist voters, writes Mazal Mualem. Israel
Lebanon Seeks More Aid For Syrian Refugees Lebanon is looking to the international community for aid to cope with the influx of Syrian refugees, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Shultz Opposes Containment, Backs Diplomacy With Iran Venerable US statesman and former secretary of state George Shultz has modest goals for Egypt and Syria, but urges a combination of bilateral diplomacy and more robust action short of war to deal with Iran. Iran
Maliki Threatens "Division" To Pressure Opponents Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has played the "division" card as a threat in dealing with Iraq’s sectarian and political factions, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
Is Lebanon a Veiled Theocracy? Recent debate in Lebanon over the legalization of civil marriage has caused an uproar and raised questions about the true nature of the Lebanese Republic, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Does Dress Code Signal 'Hamasization' of Gaza? Daoud Kuttab writes on the controversy over the new dress code at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. Palestine
CHP Raises 'Turkish Question' In Dealing With Kurds The Republican People’s Party has characterized a political solution to the Kurdish question as compromising Turkey’s secular national identity, writes Kadri Gursel. Turkey
Lebanese Elections Linked To Syria, Regional Crisis Although regional crises threaten to postpone upcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections, the international community is insistent upon elections taking place on time, writes Mohammad Harfoush. Lebanon
The Egyptian Opposition Puts Referendum in Perspective H. A. Hellyer examines past electoral results for the Egyptian opposition and how it can increase its base of support in future elections. Egypt
