Whether Qusair Will Tip The Balance Remains to Be Seen The defeat of Syrian opposition forces in Qusair may be a turning point toward a deepening of the conflict or a catalyst for a peace conference. Lebanon
Kurdish 'Arab Idol' Contestant Promotes Iraqi Kurdistan Though Arab contestants have traditionally dominated "Arab Idol," the Arab world’s version of "Pop Idol," Kurdish singer Parwas Hussein has introduced the Kurdish language and culture to Arab viewers. Iraq
Istanbul Square Crackdown Shakes Erdogan’s Regional Credibility Ankara must now go on defense and try to protect itself from negative fallout in Syria. Turkey
Hamas Considers New Blend Of Resistance, Politics In the last of a three-part series on Hamas, its leaders seek to balance their tradition of uncompromising resistance to Israel with more nuanced considerations of governance. Palestine
Former Israeli Minister Predicts Violent 'Israeli Spring' "Don't belittle the chances of an Israeli Spring," warns former Labor party minister Ra'anan Cohen, addressing Israel's lack of economic vision and deepening social gaps. Israel
Netanyahu Not Really Considering Two-State Solution, Says Danon Israel's Deputy Defense Minister Danny Danon lets the cat out of the bag. Palestine
Why Iran’s Supreme Leader Wants Jalili for President With his loyalty to the supreme leader and lack of ties to established groups, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili appears to have Khamenei’s backing. Iran
Is This the Beginning Of Erdogan Era's End? Some of the traits that made Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan a success are now emerging as liabilities. Turkey
Israeli Politicians Address Gay Pride at Parade Israeli politicians participated in numbers at Friday's Gay Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, but words are not enough and hugs have to be transformed into deeds. Israel
Time to Bid Farewell To Turkey’s 'Muslim Democracy' Taksim resistance inflicted an ideological loss on Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the AKP, making it impossible to continue labeling Turkey as a "Muslim democracy." Turkey
UN Forces in the Golan Perpetuate Israeli Occupation The withdrawal of the Austrian UNDOF forces from the Golan Heights should remind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the UN is not in charge of Israel's security in an occupied territory. Israel
Erdogan Opts for War Why does Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan opt for confrontation rather than reconciliation? Turkey
Hamas' Iranian Stockpiles Falling By supporting the Syrian rebels, Hamas might have jeopardized for good its relations with its main weapon supplier Iran. Palestine
The Religious Voice of the Chapuls The Anti-Capitalist Muslims have emerged as the most extraordinary group in the Gezi Park protests, legitimizing the revolt in religious quarters. Turkey
Iranian Activism Abroad Mirrors Low-Key Election Campaign Iranians in the US and Europe try to mobilize support for free and fair elections to highlight restrictions in Iran's June 14 presidential vote. Iran
Iraqi Kurdistan Struggles With Environmental Policies Facing drought, sandstorms and other factors contributing to the deterioration of its natural environment, the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is working to document and protect its ecosystem. Iraq
