US-Russia Diplomacy on Syria Makes Comeback The US, Russia — and Iran — resurrect diplomacy on Syria; Iran and Israel should consider talking about Syria; Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Israel
Iran's Elections: 'Back to the Future' The candidacy of former President Hashemi Rafsanjani is a sign that the Iranian presidential elections next month are a quest for both stability and change, writes Ali Hashem. Iran
Explosive Message on Turkey’s Border Cengiz Candar doesn’t expect Turkey’s response to the Reyhanli blasts, which killed 46 people, to go beyond tough rhetoric, despite its accusation that Syrian intelligence was behind the attack. Syria
Naftali Bennett Brings New Start For Israel's National Religious Party Will the young leader of the National Religious Party, Naftali Bennett, be able to overcome the old rabbinical establishment and restore his party's spirit of openness, wonders Nadav Perry. Israel
Crisis in Algeria's Health Sector May Affect Political Stability The health sector in Algeria has been hit by a massive wave of strikes which, if ignored by the government, could spread and affect the country’s stability, writes Kaci Racelma. Business
Islamic Jihad: 'We Will Not Accept A State on the 1967 Borders' In the third article of a four-part exclusive series, Asmaa al-Ghoul analyzes the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement and its relationship with other Palestinian resistance groups. Palestine
Visit by Egyptian Cleric to Gaza Divides Palestinian Leaders The visit to Gaza of Yusuf al-Qaradawi, head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, won praise from Hamas, but received strong criticism from Fatah, which accused the cleric of undermining Palestinian unity. Palestine
Lebanese Prime Minister-Designate Seeks to Break Deadlock Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam is considering new options to break the deadlock on his forming a new government, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Rafsanjani RegistersFor High-Stakes Iranian Election The final day of registration for candidates in Iran's June 14 presidential election brings out familiar faces, including former president Hashemi Rafsanjani, writes Mohammad Shabani. Iran
Obama’s Talking PointsFor Erdogan Henri Barkey considers what President Obama might, and should, say about Syria when he meets Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan in Washington on May 16. Iraq
Tunisia Considers Crackdown On Radical Preachers It remains to be seen whether the Tunisian government’s crackdown on terrorists, including targeting "radical" preachers, will reduce violence in the country, writes Mischa Benoit-Lavelle from Tunisia. Culture & Society
The Future of Egypt's Opposition Egypt must experiment with strategies for exercising legitimate political pressure, with the aim of bringing President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood into a more inclusive democratic process, writes Bassem Sabry. Egypt
Israel's Itzik Shmuli: 'Yair Lapid Is Misleading the Public' In view of the new austerity plan, Knesset Member Itzik Shmuli and his followers from the social justice movement are about to take to the streets again in protest, reports Mazal Mualem. Israel
The Kurdish Minority Within the Syrian War Professor Eyal Zisser, expert on Syria, explains to Shlomi Eldar the divisions and discord among the Kurds living where the Syrian, Iraqi and Turkish borders converge, and how this will impact the future of Syria. Iraq
Change in Iran Depends on New Reformers Linked to Conservatives Change in Iran from the presidential elections will depend on new reformers, with links to the conservative movement, and who can pump new energy into the regime, writes Ali Mamouri. Iran
Hope for Syria? Lakhdar Brahimi’s decision to stay on as UN envoy for Syria may offer a glimmer of hope for diplomacy in Syria, writes Clovis Maksoud. Lebanon
