Erdogan’s Other Kurdish Problem Denise Natali writes that there is a large gap between what Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan can deliver and what average Kurds expect from the Imrali peace talks. Turkey
The Iraq War Is Not Over Geoffrey Aronson writes that while the Iraq War may have ended for Americans, sectarian regional wars are being fought there and in Syria. Iraq
Obama Gets Mixed Reception On Visit to Ramallah With no clear peace initiatives to push, US President Barack Obama has received a mixed reception on his visit to Israel and the West Bank from Palestinians, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Lebanon: Syria War Spreads to Arsal The Lebanese government is concerned over the northern Lebanese town of Arsal’s becoming a futher target of Syrian government attacks, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
US, Iraq Seek to Boost Oil Sector Transparency Washington and Baghdad enter into an agreement to ensure greater transparency in the oil sector, reports Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr: Staying In Iraqi Government a 'Sin' A statement released by controversial Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr contains stinging criticism of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Turkey Faces New Challenges Over Cyprus Negotiations between Nicosia and Moscow over gas reserves off the southern Cyprus coast are being watched with concern by Ankara, which does not accept Nicosia’s claim to full sovereignty over these reserves, writes Semih Idiz. Turkey
Erdogan's Kurdish PoliciesBreak From Turkey's Past Mustafa Akyol writes that Turkey's Kurdish policies represent a reorientation of Turkey's new political elite under the leadership of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Lebanon Must Isolate Itself From Syria Crisis The competing Lebanese coalitions must consolidate their current policy of self-distancing from the crisis in Syria to avoid being dragged into the civil war and to prevent the war from exacerbating sectarian tensions and politics in Lebanon, writes Nassif Hitti. Lebanon
Palestinians Erect Tent Village During Obama Visit As the US president backtracks on earlier statements on settlements, Palestinians resort to nonviolent resistance to reclaim land and draw attention to their plight, writes Dalia Hatuqa. Palestine
Gazans Unmoved by Obama Visit Gaza's Palestinians have expressed mostly pessimism and frustration in response to US President Barack Obama's visit, reports Mohammed Suliman. Palestine
Palestinians Hope Obama’s Words Mean Action Daoud Kuttab writes that, for Palestinians, what matters is not just what was said, but more importantly what happens next. Palestine
Obama Makes His Case for Israel To Resume Peace Efforts President Barack Obama appealed directly to the Israeli people to recognize that settlements in occupied territory hurt peace prospects, Akiva Eldar reports. Palestine
Ocalan Calls For 'New Era' In Turkish-Kurdish Relations Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), calls for "armed members to move out of Turkey's borders." Turkey
Dahlan Case Shows Split In Palestinian Fatah Movement The dispute over the immunity of Fatah-affiliated MP Mohamed Dahlan has revealed rifts between members of the Fatah Movement, writes Naela Khalil. Palestine
Turkey’s Kurds Rally for Peace, But Mistrust Lingers A crowd of 600,000 turned out to celebrate Newroz and hear a message from Abdullah Ocalan, imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), in support of Turkish-Kurdish peace talks, Sibel Utku Bila reports from Diyarbakir. Turkey
