Iraqi Border Closures Affect Commerce in Sunni Regions Iraq's decision to close border crossings in Sunni regions bordering Syria may be primarily for security, but it is also taking an economic toll, writes Omar al-Shaher. By Omar al-Shaher
Reality TV Breaks Barriers Between Israeli Jews and Arabs Television reality shows have become the only meeting point between Jewish and Arab Israelis, writes Shlomi Eldar. By Shlomi Eldar
Sistani Calls for 'Civil State' in Iraq Mustafa al-Kadhimi discusses the role of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraqi politics. By Mustafa al-Kadhimi
Lebanon's Electoral Law And the Regional Crisis The recent move by the Lebanese March 14 coalition’s Christian parties to support the so-called Orthodox Gathering’s election law surprised their allies, yet the alliance insists that it is still united, writes Elie Hajj. By Elie Hajj
Palestinians Lose Hope, Interest in Israeli Elections Daoud Kuttab analyzes the apathy among Palestinians about the upcoming Israeli elections. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Israeli Occupation Causes Palestinian Identity Crisis Israeli occupation and colonization is not only stripping Palestinians of their land, but their identity too, Rana Baker writes. By Rana Baker
Turkey's Kurdish Issue: How Did We Get Here? Tulin Daloglu reviews the history of Turkey's Kurdish issue. By Tulin Daloglu
Palestinian Militants From Syria Establish Lebanon Base In a move that could destabilize Lebanon, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine has set up two bases in Lebanon, one just a few miles away from Beirut, writes Jean Aziz. By Jean Aziz (Lebanon Pulse)
Iraqi Opposition Blocs Renew Effort to Oust Maliki In a repeat of a move from earlier this year, opposition blocs in Iraq are once again trying to withdraw confidence from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and force the collapse of his government, writes Ali Abel Sadah. By Ali Abel Sadah
Iraq, Arab States Should End Sectarian Rhetoric, Policies Mustafa al-Kadhimi writes that there is common ground for Iraq to rebuild its relationships with its Arab neighbors, if all parties can cease sectarian rhetoric and agendas. By Mustafa al-Kadhimi
Paris Murders Reveal Sensitive Nature of Turkish-French Ties The murder of three PKK activists has brought attention to the changes in Turkish-French relations, writes Semih Idiz. By Semih Idiz
Baghdad Traces Iraqi Terror Links To Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra Ali Abdel Sadah reports that the Iraqi government is investigating links between Iraqi al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra, which the US has declared a terrorist group. By Ali Abel Sadah
Erdogan's Domestic Challenges Of Peace with the PKK Prime Minister Erdogan's peace initiative with the PKK should be understood in the context of his other domestic political initiatives, writes Kadri Gursel.
Political Agenda Seeps Into Israeli Army's Top Brass There is an effort afoot by right-wing activists in the national religious camp to influence the top Israeli military leadership, writes Akiva Eldar. By Akiva Eldar
Hamas Statements on Israel Show Flexibility Hamas' public stance toward the conflict with Israel has fluctuated since the 1990s, but the organization insists its goals haven't changed, Hazem Balousha writes. By Hazem Balousha
Israel and Obama's New Plan For the Middle East President Obama has a new plan for the Middle East: to both revive the peace process and deal with Iran and nuclear proliferation, writes Ben Caspit. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense