Gaza's Only Music School May Close Asmaa al-Ghoul tells the story of Gaza's only music school, which may have to close as it faces increasing financial pressures. Palestine
The Salafi-Brotherhood Feud in Egypt Khalil al-Anani writes about the tensions between the Salafi Nour Party and the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Barzani Plans to Host Summit As Iraqi Political Crisis Worsens Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani plans to host a summit of Iraq's political leaders as the country's political crisis worsens, writes Bushra Al Mudhafar. Iraq
Syrian Government Insists: No Conditions on Dialogue A Syrian official says Damascus is in principle open to dialogue, but not with preconditions, reports Jean Aziz. Lebanon
In Gaza, Hamas to Launch New Job-Creation Program Hamas is trying to address soaring youth unemployment in Gaza with a new job-creation program targeting university graduates, Rami Almeghari reports. Palestine
Hamas Leader Meshaal Pays 'Secretive' Visit to Turkey Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has quietly paid a visit to Ankara, raising new questions about Turkey's Middle East policies, writes Tulin Daloglu. Palestine
Egypt Floods Gaza's Smuggling Tunnels Egypt's decision to flood some of Gaza's tunnels last week caught local Palestinians by surprise, Abeer Ayyoub reports. Palestine
Mother of Palestinian Prisoners Lacks Faith in PA Leadership Linah Alsaafin speaks to the mother of four Palestinian detainees, a woman who refuses to give up hope even with "nonexistent" support from the Palestinian Authority officials to families of prisoners. Palestine
Maliki Wields 'De-Baathification' In Iraqi Power Struggle Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is facing accusations that he has been abusing the role of the Justice and Accountability Committee, using it only against opponents, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Israel Should Build Field Hospital On the Golan Border When the IDF assisted seven wounded Syrian rebels who reached the Israeli border, it was a one-time event, but Shlomi Eldar suggests that Israel open a field hospital to plant the seeds of reconciliation. Israel
Syria War Spurs US Military Aid To Lebanon The Obama administration intends to continue aid to the Lebanese army to help prevent the spread of sectarian fighting from Syria and to counter the influence of Hezbollah. Lebanon
Libya's 'Political Isolation Law' Generates Controversy Libya's parliament is considering a bill that would categorize Libyans according to their roles during the regime of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Libya
'Orthodox Plan' Would Be A Setback for Lebanon The so-called "Orthodox Plan" for the forthcoming Lebanese parliamentary elections would be a setback for Lebanon and a step toward greater sectarianism, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
Tzipi Livni’s New Role Amounts to Sleight of Hand The great powers given to Hatenua leader Tzipi Livni in negotiations with the Palestinians are mere sleight of hand, writes Nadav Perry, since the chances for a diplomatic breakthrough are almost nonexistent. Israel
Turkish Parliament's Tuesday Meetings Raise Political Temperature Turkish parliamentary party meetings on Tuesdays are characterized by harsh language, writes Tulin Daloglu. Turkey
Who Will Pay IOCs in Iraqi Kurdistan? An Iraqi-Turkish oil pipeline for exports from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq might reduce tensions between Baghdad and Erbil, while improving Iraqi-Turkish ties, writes Denise Natali. Iraq
