Iraqi Music Tinged by Violent, Turbulent Times With musical trends typically reflecting the times of any particular society, Iraqi music today is increasingly characterized by themes of war and violence. By Mushreq Abbas
Israeli Supreme Court Rules For Democracy Israel's highest court strikes down a controversial immigration law. By Aaron Magid
Syria War Polarizes West Bank Palestinians Increased international attention on Syria has reignited debate among West Bank Palestinians over whom to support. By Naela Khalil
Erdogan Promotes Democratization Package Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey's democratization package is a "silent revolution." By Rasim Ozan Kutahyali
Iran Increases Aid to PFLP Thanks to Syria Stance Iran has rewarded the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine's pro-Assad stance with an increase in financial and military assistance. By Hazem Balousha
Netanyahu to US: Iran for Palestine? The Israeli right fears that Netanyahu might agree to an interim arrangement that will include a settlement evacuation in exchange for US guarantees on the Iranian file. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Turkey's New Prohibitions Lead To Underground Alcohol Market Many Turks are finding ways around the new restrictions on the sale of alcohol. By Emre Kizilkaya
Nour Party Picks Up Islamist Mantle In Egyptian Transition Having joined the coup against Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, the Salafist Nour Party seek to lead the Islamist current in Egyptian politics. By Walaa Hussein
Saudis Set Back by US-Russia Deal on Syrian Chemical Weapons Saudi Arabia, like Iran, has pursued a sectarian interventionist strategy in Syria that furthers the war and undermines a democratic transition. By Madawi Al-Rasheed
Women Protesters in Turkey Brave Sexual Harassment The systematic sexual harassment of female Turkish protesters in custody is used as a weapon to deter them and marginalize the protest movement. By Pinar Tremblay
How Happy Is the One Who Says 'I am a Turk'? Turks seem to be content, but perhaps not all that happy. By Riada Ašimović Akyol
More Obstacles to Formation Of New Lebanon Government As conflict continues to rage next door in Syria, Lebanon’s polarized political scene must face several challenges before it can build a government that satisfies past agreements. By Haytham Mouzahem (Syria Pulse)
Saudi Arabia Vies For Influence in Iraq Riyadh has reached out to tribal sheikhs in southern Iraq in what some see as a continuation of the ongoing Saudi-Iranian competition for influence in the region. By Harith al-Qarawee
On Turkey-Syria Border, Despair Over War Syrians in Antakya are pessimistic about the future. By Tulin Daloglu
Iran Rethinks Facebook Under Rouhani Iranian ministers are implementing a social media strategy, which is being challenged in some conservative quarters. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Is Defection of Syrian General Part of Russian Plan? There are reports that a high-ranking Syrian Alawite officer, Gen. Ali Habib, has left the country, leaving some thinking this could be part of a Russian plan to reach a solution to the conflict. By Jean Aziz (Lebanon Pulse)