Surveys get personal in Turkey For the first time in Turkish history, state institutions are conducting surveys on religion, further dividing citizens. Turkey
Will Erdogan visit genocide memorial in 2015? Turkey’s official position is not likely to change on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Turkey
Turkey's foreign policy reset will not be easy Turkey’s allies still have misgivings about the recent past and direction of Turkish foreign policy. Turkey
Erdogan's blacklist The battle between Erdogan's party and Gulenist elites shows that cooperation with the Gulen Movement is no longer worth it to the AKP. Turkey
An Israeli-Saudi axis? Not likely Saudi Arabia has long been willing to work behind the scenes with Israel against common foes, but the kingdom is uninterested in anything more than the occasional clandestine connection. Saudi Arabia
Israel's Foreign Ministry continues to lose relevance When Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Liberman sees diplomacy as a sign of weakness, it's no wonder that his ministry is losing relevance. Israel
Prominent Egyptian activist arrested for defying new protest law Alaa Abd El Fattah is the latest activist to be arrested in a week of crackdowns that have energized protesters on polar ends of the political spectrum. Egypt
Beirut blast a lesson in terrorism The perpetrators of the Iranian Embassy bombing in Beirut carefully crafted the attack to cause maximum physical and psychological damage. Lebanon
ISIS exploits weak Iraqi, Syrian states Historically targeting non-central parts of the countries in which it operates, al-Qaeda, in the form of ISIS, is taking advantage of prevailing instability in Syria and Iraq to deepen its roots. Iraq
Palestinians fight Israeli attempts to claim Bethlehem Palestine is resisting Israeli attempts to appropriate Bethlehem as the peak Christmas tourism season approaches. Palestine
Iran’s diplomatic surge extends to Gulf Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is considering an invitation from Bahrain to attend the IISS Manama Dialogue Regional Security Summit, as UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan visits Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Negotiators must treat Israeli settlements as barriers to peace David Makovsky, the newest member of the US secretary of state's negotiating team, must realize that the settlement enterprise remains an "intentional, clear and winning" Israeli policy. Palestine
US, Iranian influence evolves in Iraq After the Geneva breakthrough on Iran’s nuclear program and the potential for a US-Iran entente, it is worth looking at the role both sides play in an ever-turbulent Iraq. Iraq
Israeli media miscasts Hebron clashes The Israeli media has painted a recent confrontation in Hebron as the result of growing radical Islamism in the West Bank despite the lack of evidence for such a cause. Palestine
Egypt’s civil parties prepare for upcoming elections Following Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi’s announcement that parliamentary elections will be held early next year, Egypt’s civil parties are holding discussions aimed at forming alliances to guarantee electoral success. Egypt
Islamic Jihad accuses Palestinian Authority of collusion with Israel In the aftermath of a security sweep, Islamic Jihad leaders in the West Bank say the Palestinian Authority is working with Israel to crack down on its activities in Jenin. Palestine
