Development Fund to Fill New Role, Hopes Iran's Private Sector Iran’s National Development Fund has been a disappointment, but there is hope that under a new managing director, it can play a meaningful role in job creations and growth. Iran
Israel Should Acknowledge Its Own Nuclear Program Instead of focusing solely on Iran, the international community should examine Israel's purported nuclear arsenal and its refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel
Israel’s Policy Dispossesses Jordan Valley Bedouins The demolition of Khirbet al-Makhoul brings to light Israel's long-standing policy of "Judaising" the Jordan Valley and the Hebron Hills, by dispossessing Palestinian-Bedouin residents. Palestine
Could Netanyahu's Offensive Against Iran Backfire? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demands for Iran to be tested by its deeds, not words, but will Israel follow the same example when negotiating with the Palestinians? Palestine
Russia Curbs Freedom of Press Ahead of Olympics Russia denies entry to Turkish journalist ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, a city that holds tragic memories of war and deportation for Circassians, who refer to their events as "genocide." Turkey
The Real Beneficiaries Of Erdogan’s Democracy Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's democratization package has lifted restrictions on devout Sunnis imposed by previous secular governments, pleasing his Islamist constituency. Turkey
The Return of Turkey's Mustaches As Fashion Week approaches in Istanbul, reports of the demise of the mustache proved premature. Turkey
Is Egypt Trying to Block Israel's African Union Bid? The Egyptian government is seeking to block attempts by Israel's African allies to grant Israel observer status at the African Union. Egypt
How Yemeni Coffee Reaches American Cups Yemeni farmers preserve a coffee industry that dates back to ancient times to transform beans from the mountains of Haraaz into coffee sold in trendy coffee shops in North America. Yemen
Gaza's Extreme Poor Face Social Stigma Already humiliated for relying on UN food rations, Gaza's extreme poor also find themselves ostracized from other parts of society. Palestine
Hezbollah and Rouhani Hezbollah's relationship with Iran is not dependent on the Iranian presidency or government, but rather insitutions connected with the office of Iran's supreme leader and the velayati-e faqih. Lebanon
Iraqis Traumatized by Bombings The frequency with which Iraqis witness the carnage wreaked by explosions has psychologically scarred a high percentage of the country’s population. Iraq
Iraqi Literacy Drive A Response to Extremism An Iraqi youth group has organized a reading event in Baghdad to promote a literary culture and fight extremism. Iraq
Syrian Sufis Divided As Salafist Influence Grows Sufism has long been the dominant strand of Sunni Islam in Syria, but is under threat as Salafism gains power. Syria
Has Netanyahu Lost Battle Over Nuclear Iran? Right-wing ideologist Arieh Eldad criticized the Israeli prime minister: "He gave up on the Land of Israel, but he also understands that he lost the battle over the Iranian nuclear program." Palestine
Turkey's 'Massive' Rights Crimes At Gezi Protests Cited by Amnesty In a detailed study on Turkey's recent urban unrest, the international human rights body Amnesty International reports widespread abuse by authorities. Turkey