Turkey-Azerbaijan relations still strong Although Azerbaijan is warming its relations with Russia and Iran, Ankara still remains the most pivotal ally for Baku. By Tulin Daloglu
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. By Kadri Gürsel
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. By Gitit Ginat
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. By Akiva Eldar
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. By Shlomi Eldar
Black Palestinians shrug off racism Racist taunts toward Gaza’s African minority are not uncommon, despite centurieslong African migration to Palestine. By Asmaa al-Ghoul
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. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
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. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
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. By Denise Natali
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. By Nervana Mahmoud
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. By Rasim Ozan Kutahyali
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. By Ali Hashem In Doha, reporting on Iran, regional politics, conflict
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. By Hazem Balousha
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. By Week in Review
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. By Clovis Maksoud
AKP Trips on Islamic Tweets Religious rhetoric by Justice and Development Party elites over marginal or irrelevant issues often seem unnecessary and divisive. By Pinar Tremblay