Is Erdogan Calling for Jihad In Turkey? Prime Minister Erdogan's May 5 speech, with its religious imagery and outrage about events in Syria, could be seen as a rallying cry for a Turkish religious obligation to fight the regime, writes Pinar Tremblay. Syria
Israeli Concept of 'State Land' Needs Another Look The belief that some Israeli settlements have been built on "state land" is based on a misinterpretation of past land-ownership practices, writes Lorenzo Kamel. Palestine
State Failure Behind Iraqi Sectarian Violence Failures in post-invasion state-building are fueling ongoing sectarian strife in Iraq, writes Narav Salahaddin. Iraq
Syria’s Music Wars Omar Adam Sayfo describes how both the Syrian government and the rebels have employed music as a weapon in the Syrian conflict. Syria
Israel's Moral Responsibility In Syria Israeli silence on the abduction of the two archbishops in Syria underlines the indifference of the Israeli public toward the fate of the Syrian people, writes Akiva Eldar. Israel
Report Highlights Corruption In Palestinian Institutions The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity has issued its report for 2013, focusing on corruption and the lack of oversight in official, private and civil Palestinian institutions, reports Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Palestinian Christians Struggle With Israeli Occupation Father Johnny Abu Khalil, a Catholic priest from Nablus, recounts the challenges faced by Palestinian Christians. Palestine
West Bank Villages Face Shortage Of Water While Settlements Thrive Palestinian villages such as Al Hadidiya in the Jordan Valley are suffering from chronic water shortages, write Layan Masri and Loor Awwad. Palestine
In Memoriam: Lebanon Loses Beloved Musician Imane Homsy Lebanon's foremost qanun musician, Imane Homsy, has passed away, leaving behind her a legacy of musical innovation, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Do Israeli Airstrikes Play Into Assad's Hands? In an interview with Shlomi Eldar, professor Kais Firro, an authority on Syria and Lebanon, claims that the Syrian regime can finally argue that Israel is the puppet master behind the uprising. Israel
Do the US, Iran Agree on Red Line For Syrian Chemical Weapons? The US and Israel escalate the war in Syria; Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, Khaled Meshaal; and Al-Monitor launches Iran Pulse. Israel
Restoring the 'Past Glory' Of the Israeli Shas Party Aryeh Deri, the newly re-appointed head of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party, inherits a sacred movement which has lost its support base, writes Mazal Mualem. Israel
Syria Calls Attack by Israel 'Declaration of War' Ali Hashem reports on reactions from Syria and Hezbollah, blaming Israel for the attacks on Damascus that represent an escalation of the Syria war. Israel
Israeli Military Service Requirement Discriminates Against Arab Citizens Using military service as a prerequisite for certain jobs and other societal benefits amounts to discrimination against those unable to serve, such as Israel's Arab citizens, writes Jillian Kestler-D'Amours. Israel
Israel Hits Syria, Sends Message to Iran Israel believes that its airstrikes on Damascus are being considered with concern in Iran, writes Ben Caspit. Israel
Iraq's Housing Crisis Worsens Amid High Population Growth According to figures released by Iraq's Ministry of Planning, Iraq witnessed significant population growth in 2012, further exacerbating the country's housing crisis, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
