Hezbollah, Part 1: Origins and Challenges Mohammad Harfoush looks at Hezbollah, one of Lebanon’s most polarizing organizations, in part one of a survey of the factors that led to the movement's formation and its present status in Lebanese society and politics. Lebanon
Why Is Obama Rushing to Israel? It is hard to believe that the announcement of the US presidential visit to Israel isn't timed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's negotiations on a new government, writes Akiva Eldar. Palestine
Ramallah Wages War on Cart Sellers Palestinian Authority police have evicted cart sellers from the streets of Ramallah to improve the city's look, angering vendors who now have no source of income, Linah Alsaafin reports. Palestine
North African Religious Leaders Fight Fanaticism in Sahel North African religious leaders have convened in Algeria to discuss ways to resist fanaticism in the Sahel region, writes Kaci Racelma. North Africa
Obama Visit to Israel an Opportunity US President Barack Obama's upcoming visit to Israel is an opportunity for a new start in US policy in the region, writes Clovis Maksoud. Palestine
Tunisians Protest Killing Of Opposition Leader Nafeesa Syeed reports on the political reactions and protests in response to the killing of opposition leader Chokri Belaid, head of the Democratic Patriots Party. [Updated Feb. 7] Tunisia
New Israeli Knesset Prepares for Political Battle Plenty of hugs and kisses were exchanged on the first day of the newly sworn-in Knesset, yet the gaiety will be short lived as the battles will soon commence, writes Mazal Mualem. Israel
Can the IDF Absorb The Ultra-Orthodox? Alon Ben David examines the politics of equally sharing the burden of military service, a winning slogan in the recent election. Israel
Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation Would Be a Reset for PLO The PLO has gone through a number of changes throughout its history, and if Hamas and Fatah agree on a reconciliation deal, it'll be set for another revamp, Daoud Kuttab writes. Palestine
Fear of Extremism Grows in Maghreb Nassif Hitti comments on regional concerns about the rise of extremism following developments in Mali. Lebanon
What Does Sierra Murder Say About Turkey? Tulin Daloglu takes a look at Turkish society's responses to the recent murder of American Sarai Sierra. Turkey
Obama's Post-Election Pivot on Syria Geoffrey Aronson describes the implications of President Barack Obama applying the "Congo Standard" for intervention in Syria. Syria
Obama’s Visit to Israel a Chance To Reset US-Israel Ties Ben Caspit writes that President Barack Obama's visit to Israel will remind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that diplomacy between Israel and the Palestinians is still at the top of the US agenda. Palestine
Hezbollah Faces PressureAfter Bulgaria Indictment Ali Hashem examines responses in Lebanon and abroad to Bulgaria's accusations against Hezbollah for the Burgas bombing. Lebanon
Pass the Tofu and Hold the Kebabs:Muslims Embrace Vegetarianism Ruqaya Izzidien writes that with the production of meat as it is today, there are plenty of of good reasons for Muslims to cut down on meat, or even go vegetarian, that stem from Islamic history, Quranic injunctions and problems afflicting the modern food industry. Pan Arab
Iraq's Constitutional Crisis Iraq has come far since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, but the country is still plagued by crises that are social as well as political in nature, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq