Turkey-Azerbaijan relations still strong Although Azerbaijan is warming its relations with Russia and Iran, Ankara still remains the most pivotal ally for Baku. Turkey
Time running out for Turkey-PKK peace process The AKP government’s stalling of required steps for peace and a political solution with the Kurds increases the likelihood of controlled violence. Turkey
Playing Umm Kulthoum for Israelis Sami Khsheibun, creator of the “Queen of the Nile” — a tribute concert to Egyptian singer Umm Kulthoum — is building musical bridges between the worlds of oriental classical music and Western classical. Palestine
Prisoner-settlement exchange means no free lunch Negotiations are slated to last nine months, but if by the end of the year no progress is made, the Obama administration will present an American final status agreement draft. Palestine
How Netanyahu pushed Erekat into a corner The resignation of Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat reflects the disappointment within Palestinian public opinion following Israel's decision to continue settlement construction. Palestine
Black Palestinians shrug off racism Racist taunts toward Gaza’s African minority are not uncommon, despite centurieslong African migration to Palestine. Palestine
Netanyahu's coalition stable — with or without Liberman Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu feels confident about the stability of his coalition, whatever the outcome in Avigdor Liberman's trial or Labor Party primaries. Israel
Israel traps Palestinians in negotiations with prisoner card Israel is using the release of Palestinian prisoners as a means to keep the Palestinians in peace talks that are going nowhere. Palestine
How independent is the Iraqi-Kurdish pipeline to Turkey? Turkey can be instrumental in brokering a grand bargain on oil policy that affirms Iraqi sovereignty while assuring the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s contribution to export growth. Iraq
Three reasons for the Egypt-Russia rapprochement The warming in Egypt-Russia ties is linked to the ups and downs in the US-Egypt relationship. Egypt
How did Turkish media 'lynch' Kurdish singer? The late Kurdish singer Ahmet Kaya was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor after his life was ruined by Turkey’s “deep state” and mainstream media 14 years ago. Turkey
A guided tour of the US Embassy in Tehran The US Embassy in Tehran was ground zero for the collapse in US-Iran relations 34 years ago. Iran
Gaza-Israel Clashes Unlikely to Escalate Israel and Hamas are both preoccupied with other more pressing regional concerns, and have no interest in flaring a crisis of their own. Palestine
The Al-Monitor Debate on Gulf Cities The Wall Street Journal reports on the Al-Monitor debate on Gulf cities; former Israeli, Palestinian negotiators differ on whether Palestinians should recognize Israel as a Jewish state; hope for Syrian bishops' release; a new Al-Monitor design. Palestine
Turkey-Iran Talks Can Begin To Defuse Syrian Tragedy Discussions between the foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran reflect a serious departure from the polarization; especially on Syria & between the two regional powers. Lebanon
AKP Trips on Islamic Tweets Religious rhetoric by Justice and Development Party elites over marginal or irrelevant issues often seem unnecessary and divisive. Turkey
