Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense US President Barack Obama has made an inspired choice by nominating Chuck Hagel to be US Secretary of Defense. By Week in Review
'Sheratongate' Shakes Tunisian Ruling Party The scandal implicating Foreign Minister Rafik Abdessalem — the son-in-law of Ennahdha party head Rached Ghannouchi — over expensive hotel bills is yet another challenge to Tunisia’s ruling party and government, reports Mischa Benoit-Lavelle from Tunis. By Mischa Benoit-Lavelle
Erdogan to Continue PKK Talks Despite Paris Murders Cengiz Candar analyzes the potential motivations for the murders of three PKK activists in Paris and what it might mean for the Turkey-PKK talks. By Cengiz Candar
Russia Sees Al-Qaeda Growth in Lebanon Russia has voiced fears that al-Qaeda is spreading in Lebanon, and Nasser Chararah reports that the group is setting down roots to help fighters in neighboring Syria. By Nasser Chararah
The Bahrain Blackout in Arab Media The state-sponsored Arab news networks in the Gulf have given scant coverage to the reform and protest movements in Bahrain, writes Ali Hashem. By Ali Hashem In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict
In Erdogan’s Turkey, Censorship Finds Fertile Ground Censorship in Turkey is on the rise, raising questions about the state of Turkish democracy, writes Sibel Utku Bila. By Sibel Utku Bila
Israeli College in West Bank a Setback For Two-State Solution Dalia Hatuqa analyzes the consequences of Israel accrediting Ariel University in the occupied West Bank with official university status. By Dalia Hatuqa
Who Is Behind Paris PKK Murders? Kadri Gursel speculates on whether the murders of three PKK activists in Paris might be linked to the recent peace initiative between Ankara and the PKK, and the "regionalization" of the Kurdish issue in Turkey, Syria and Iraq.
Syrian Armed Groups Among Those Displaced in Lebanon Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are reportedly in Lebanon, and their presence is having a destabilizing effect on the country, writes Jean Aziz. By Jean Aziz (Lebanon Pulse)
KRG Oil Sales to Turkey Inflame Tensions with Baghdad Baghdad has threatened legal action in response to the Kurdistan Regional Government's decision to export oil to Turkey, while Washington stands by, writes Semih Idiz. By Semih Idiz
Talks With Ocalan Offer Slim Hope for Turkey-PKK Deal Tulin Daloglu writes that Ankara's decision to "talk" with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan offers limited prospects for an agreement on the Kurdish question in Turkey. By Tulin Daloglu
Iran Not a Priority For Most Israeli Voters Israeli voters are more concerned about domestic politics than the threat from Iran, Meir Javedanfar explains. By Meir Javedanfar
Netanyahu's Real Headache Will Begin Day After Elections Once the elections are over, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have to choose whether to create a narrow coalition with the ultra-Orthodox, or try to persuade reluctant center-left parties to join a wider coalition, writes Nadav Perry. By Nadav Perry
Iraqi Struggle for Secular Democracy Losing Ground Ali Abdel Sadah analyzes the struggles of secular democrats in Iraq against Islamic sectarian politics. By Ali Abel Sadah
Iraqi Kurdistan Seeks Independence in Oil Exports Omar al-Shaher reports on the Kurdistan Region's decision to export oil through Turkey as escalating tensions between Baghdad and Erbil. By Omar al-Shaher
Palestinian Reconciliation: Three Tests Daoud Kuttab writes that there are three key indicators that will prove whether Hamas and Fatah are serious about reconciliation. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics