Reconciliation, Decision-Making In Iraq As the security situation continues to deteriorate, Iraqi political groups must reconcile and work together to ensure all players have a say in the decision-making process. Iraq
Hamas, Islamic Jihad Gunmen Clash Over Mosque A fiery sermon critical of Hamas' government resulted in armed clashes that injured three Islamic Jihad supporters. Palestine
Will Jerusalem Derail Talks Again? As secretive Palestinian-Israeli negotiations continue, the final status of Jerusalem remains the thorniest of issues. Palestine
Iraqi Kurdistan Struggles With Influx of Syrian Refugees Like other countries in the region struggling to take in the huge influx of Syrian refugees fleeing the war at home, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has not received the international support needed to do so. Iraq
Egypt’s Coup Breathes New Life Into Al-Qaeda Egypt's tumult and coup will become central points in al-Qaeda’s narrative for years to come, also giving rise to al-Qaeda's next generation. Egypt
Rouhani Appoints Controversial Justice Minister Hassan Rouhani's justice minister played a controversial role in executions during the 1980s, according to human rights organizations. Iran
Israel Needs Better Grasp Of US Concerns on Egypt Israel’s efforts to get the Obama administration to hold back on its response to the killing of hundreds of demonstrators in Egypt signifies a dearth of any deep understanding behind US policy and its underlying values. Egypt
Keeping Sane During an Israeli Summer For Israelis, traveling abroad equals a therapeutic exercise, leaving behind the habit of constantly listening to news casts and the burden of an ongoing existential stress. Egypt
Regional Crises Deepen Divide in Kuwaiti Politics The Arab uprisings have reverberated in Kuwait, the Gulf's only "democratic" state. Kuwait
Saudi Arabia and Turkey Falter Over Egypt Though Saudi Arabia and Turkey share strategic goals in the region, the Egyptian coup is testing the strength of the two countries' relations. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan’s 'Now Or Never' Moment In Turkish-Kurdish Peace Process Pressure is mounting on Turkey’s peace process, with such issues as teaching the Kurdish language in schools proving particularly important. Turkey
Turkey’s 'Precious Isolation' In the Middle East Foreign policy decisions by the Erdogan government, including on Egypt and Syria, have left Turkey without any influence over events in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Turkey Takes Sides, Pays a Price The kidnappings in Lebanon are only one of the prices of Turkey’s ill-conceived, sectarian-nature foreign policy — which is nothing new. Lebanon
Qatar Encroaches on Saudi Influence In Yemen As elsewhere in the Middle East post-Arab Spring, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are vying for influence in an unstable and economically weak Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Ultra-Orthodox and Left-Wing Israelis Join Forces in Opposition The odd-couple collaboration between the opposition ultra-Orthodox Yahadut HaTorah and left-wing Meretz might someday expand from their social justice struggle to diplomatic issues as well. Israel
Lebanon Risks Becoming More Like Iraq Than Syria The nature of back-and-forth Shiite-Sunni fighting in Lebanon more closely resembles the conflict raging in Iraq than the one in neighboring Syria. Iraq
