Israel, Arabs Reverse RolesOn Peace and War Israel has rejected a US plan for peace talks centered on borders and security as a starting point while the Palestinians appear to have agreed to proceed, writes Daoud Kuttab. Palestine
Qatari Reconstruction Efforts Kick Off in Gaza Infrastructure projects have begun in the Gaza Strip under the supervision of Qatar, which granted $400 million to the territory last November, reports Rami Almeghari. Qatar
Hamas Intensifies Gaza 'Islamization' Hamas has been clamping down on young men wearing waist-down jeans and hair gel, the latest move in the ruling organization’s insidious campaign to “Islamize” Palestinian society in Gaza, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
A Possible Comfort Zone for Lebanon? The new Lebanese cabinet should include women and figures uninvolved in sectarian politics, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
Former Nuclear Negotiator Joins Iranian Presidential Race Hassan Rouhani, a top official during a time of warmer Iranian relations with the West, could be the standard-bearer for the reformist/pragmatist camp in upcoming presidential elections. Iran
'Slow Food' Project Encourages Organic Palestinian Produce The Palestinian chapter for Slow Food International is seeking to revive Palestinian agricultural identity by producing organic food, Linah Alsaafin reports. Palestine
Maliki Faces Tough Political Choices Ahead of Election Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki faces tough political choices ahead, because he must reconcile with some of his Sunni and Kurdish opponents to win another term, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
What Do Peace Envoys Actually Do in the Middle East? For many years, the world’s powers have been sending envoys to the Middle East to secure peace deals. Given their lack of success, however, Omar Shaban asks what their point is. Palestine
The Reasons Behind Hezbollah’s Decision to Fight in Syria Despite the natural alliance between Shiites in Lebanon and the Syrian regime, some Lebanese are reconsidering the merits of sending their young men to die in Syria, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Upcoming Iraqi Kurdistan Elections Stir Up Controversy The presidential elections in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, scheduled for later this year, have hit a snag, with several parties unable to agree on important issues, reports Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
What Really Happened Between Netanyahu and Obama From confidential, well-placed sources, Ben Caspit discloses the arguments in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chambers hidden behind friendly gestures in public during the US president’s visit. Palestine
Israel Welcomes Barbra Streisand Israelis love President Shimon Peres and Barbra Streisand as “the sane and lovely faces of the Jewish people,” writes Michal Aharoni. Israel
The Shiite Scare in Egypt Reporting from Cairo, Holly Dagres writes that Egyptian Shiites are increasingly being targeted for persecution by ultraconservative Salafists as well as by the government. Egypt
Is Hezbollah ExaggeratingJabhat al-Nusra’s Strength? According to a Lebanese politician once close to Hezbollah, the organization is exaggerating Jabhat al-Nusra’s size to scare Lebanese Shiites into continuing to support the party, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Algerian Political Scene Split Ahead of 2014 Elections With Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika set to run for a fourth term, opponents and supporters engage in heated debates about the state and direction of the country, writes Kaci Racelma. Originals
Kerry's Visit Leaves Israelis Indifferent Mazal Mualem wonders why the optimism left by President Barack Obama turned into indifference toward his secretary of state. Israel
