Erdogan: 'Kosovo Is Turkey' Prime Minister Erdogan's comments on Kosovo have damaged one of Turkey's few foreign policy bright spots, peacemaking and peacekeeping in the Balkans. Turkey
Kurdish Rebels Ban Child Soldiers The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has signed on to the Geneva Call’s initiative after three years of negotiation. Syria
Is Yoga Halal for Turks? Much discussed in the Muslim world since the 1990s, the question of yoga and Islam has finally confronted a rather confused public in Turkey. Turkey
Peace Demands Palestinians Recognize Israel as 'Jewish State' Former Israeli Cabinet secretary Zvi Hauser responds to Nabeel Kassis: Only recognition of Israel as the home of the Jewish nation, alongside a Palestinian state, can lead to a historic compromise. Palestine
Syria’s Race Against Time UN-Arab League Joint Representative Lakhdar Brahimi presses for Geneva II, while Saudi women are on the road again. Saudi Arabia
EU Gives Turkey a Failing Mark On Media Freedom While the European Parliament report on Turkey gives the government low marks on media freedom, the media industry may be mostly responsible for this outcome. Turkey
Can Nude Feminism Succeed in Turkey? In Turkey, the nude protesters of women's rights group FEMEN face a larger obstacle than male supremacy: They don't quite understand the real issues that strain Turkish politics and society. Turkey
Rift Between Cairo, Washington Deepens The US decision to curtail Egypt's military aid, while unlikely to influence Cairo's growing divergence from US policy, could give Washington a chance to reset what the goals should be. Egypt
Druze to Command IDF Infantry Brigade The appointment of Col. Rassad Alian as the Golani Brigade's commander sharpens the contrast between the allegiance of the Druze to Israel, and the discrimination they suffer in terms of budgets and infrastructure. Israel
Israeli Media DiscriminateAgainst Women in Politics A report composed by women journalists reveals that the Israeli media relate to female politicians in a sexist manner, especially those of Middle Eastern or North African origin. Israel
Iran Opens First Alcohol Rehab Center The official permit for an alcohol rehabilitation center provides a window on the illegal trade and consumption of alcohol in Iran. Iran
International Oil Companies Gamble on Turkey’s Shale Gas While information on Turkey's hydrocarbon reserves remains elusive, some shale investors are willing to take the risk. Turkey
Al-Qaeda Sets Sights On Iraq’s Anbar Province As al-Qaeda-affiliated groups expand their activities throughout Iraq, some believe they are eyeing Anbar province, where a “huge battle” could unfold in the near future. Iraq
Israel Looks Beyond the Region For Strategic Partners Confronted by a gloomy strategic environment, Israel has found new foreign policy partners in Azerbaijan, Greece and India. Israel
Turkey's Choice: Chinese Missile Defense Or NATO? If Turkey moves ahead with the purchase of a Chinese missile defense system, Ankara will be opting out of a NATO system. Turkey
Jerusalem Mayor's Re-Election Setback for Liberman The victory of incumbent Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat in the municipal elections does not bode well for Knesset members Avigdor Liberman and Aryeh Deri, who placed their bets on his opponent. Israel
