Israel Wants PA to Crack Down On Protests Over Prisoners Israeli media have reported that Israel is ready to release $100 million it collects on behalf of the Palestinian government in return for the Ramallah leadership cracking down on the protests, reports Daoud Kuttab. Palestine
Bad Timing: Israel Allows Oil Exploration in Golan Akiva Eldar writes that the decision to allow a US energy company to explore for oil in the Golan is not meant to antagonize President Obama in advance of his visit to Israel, but a sign that Israel considers the Golan an integral part of the state. Israel
No Conditions on Syrian Dialogue Al-Monitor’s coverage and analysis of the demonstrations in the West Bank, the role of Hezbollah in Syria, and the urgency of starting negotiations between the Syrian government and the opposition without conditions. Palestine
PA Seeks to Exploit West Bank Protests Warnings of a Third Intifada fail to address the core issues behind the West Bank protests, namely Israel's occupation, Dalia Hatuqa writes. Palestine
Part of Turkey's Territory is Kurdistan In a visit to southeast Turkey, Cengiz Candar responds to Mustafa Akyol’s article “Is There a Turkish Kurdistan?” Turkey
Mystery Over Turkish Bid for Shanghai Five Membership Turkey’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization would not only fail to make any contribution to Turkish democracy, but might be a setback to recent progress, writes Kadri Gursel. Turkey
The Israel-Hezbollah Shadow War Israel and Hezbollah prefer a shadow war of terror and assassination rather than disturbing the uneasy truce on the Israel-Lebanon border, writes Ali Hashem. Israel
Barakeh: Arab-Israelis A Faceless Entity Knesset member Mohammad Barakeh, leader of the bi-national party Hadash, explains to Mazal Mualem why the most social justice-oriented party in Israel did not benefit from the fruits of Israel’s social-protest movement, and points an accusing finger at the government and the media for ignoring Israel's Arab citizens. Palestine
Abu Mazen Tries to Calm The West Bank The West Bank is seeing a new spike in protests and violence, but Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) still offers the best hope to avoid a third intifada, writes Shlomi Eldar. Palestine
Israel Ramps Up Demolition Of Palestinian Homes Israel has intensified its demolition push in East Jerusalem to support development of a "Greater Jerusalem," reports Dalia Hatuqa. Palestine
Government's Decision Threatens Iraqi Automotive Industry The Iraqi government recently issued a decision imposing heavy registration fees on those who purchase new cars, a move that could destroy the country’s automotive trade, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Egypt’s Culture of Violence Violence has quickly become the norm at protests in Egypt, and is being deployed by both the Islamist government and opposition, Sarah el-Sirgany reports. Egypt
Obama Should Make Clear US Position on Golan The announcement that Genie Energy, a US company, has been granted a license for oil exploration in the Golan requires the US to make clear its position that the Golan Heights are Syrian territory under Israeli occupation, writes Clovis Maksoud. Israel
Netanyahu's Many Roles Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proven he can appeal to many audiences, and may consider Hatneua Leader Tzipi Livni as his bridge to the international community if he is able to form the next government, writes Ben Caspit. Israel
Iran's Foreign Envoy Slams Turkish Media Outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Bahman Hosseinpour accuses the Turkish media of ulterior motives in spoiling the relations between two countries, writes Tulin Daloglu. Turkey
Can The Political Crisis In Egypt Actually Be Resolved? Bassem Sabry outlines the program for a political dialogue in Egypt, but the steps required would involve compromises by both President Mohammed Morsi and the opposition. Egypt
