New Iraqi Protest Movement Targets Corrruption Overall dissatisfaction with the Iraqi government promises to overcome sectarian, ethnic and political rifts and pave the way for the emergence of a potentially effective protest movement. Iraq
KDP May Run Alone In Iraqi Kurdistan Elections The two major parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have shared power since 2005, but some believe that President Massoud Barzani and his party are planning to go it alone following upcoming parliamentary elections. Iraq
A Salafi Assault on Turkish Theology? Turkey's universities are witnessing a rise in a more dogmatic approach to Islamic philosophy. Turkey
Russian Diplomacy Transforms Debate on Syria The Russian initiative on Syria's chemical weapons slows the Obama administration’s flagging effort to get congressional support for a military strike. Syria
The Return of the Israeli Left Israel Supreme Court's ruling against the right wing Im Tirtzu NGO gives momentum to the revival of the left and human rights organizations. Israel
Lebanon as 'Theater of Surprise' In Syria War Lebanon is the traditional battlefield for regional conflicts. Lebanon
Nile Water Dispute Stymies Egypt Reset with African Union Egypt's relations with Africa remain cool despite a diplomatic campaign by Cairo to reboot ties. Egypt
Iraqi Sheikh Faces Divisions Within Sunni Community Sheikh Abdul-Malik al-Saadi seeks to balance support for protests with opposition to a Sunni federal region in Iraq. Iraq
Egypt Accuses Islamic Jihad Of Arms Smuggling in Sinai Egypt's army has for the first time accused the Iranian-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad of armed involvement in the Sinai. Palestine
Tamarod's Gaza Campaign Denounced by Fellow Activists Palestinian activists under the name of Tamarod have distanced themselves from another Tamarod group in Gaza's calls to overthrow the Hamas government. Palestine
Middle East Alliances More Tangled Than Ever The alliances of regional countries are based on seemingly contradictory interests. Iraq
Turkey’s Policies Defied By Latest Twists in Syria Turkey seems to be on the wrong side of events in Egypt and Syria. Egypt
UNIFIL, Hezbollah Prepare For Possible Syria Strike Having cooperated for decades in southern Lebanon, both UNIFIL forces and Hezbollah are preparing for the repercussions of US-led military action in Syria. Lebanon
Is Bahrain's Fate Tied to Syrian War? Bahrain's opposing forces are jostling for power ahead of a possible US strike on Syria, with the government hopeful that a weakened Syrian regime will work in their favor. Bahrain
Oslo Accords Offer Lessons After Twenty-Year 'Interim' The failures of the Oslo experience should inform the restarted Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Palestine
Turks on Syria Border Oppose US Military Strike Many Turkish residents of the border town of Reyhanli — hit by twin car bombings May 11 — worry that they are in jeopardy as a result of a US miltiary strike on Syria. Syria