Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf’s modern art movement Contrary to what some may believe, a vibrant indigenous visual arts tradition does exist in the Gulf. United Arab Emirates
Turkey, Iran influence Iraqi Kurdistan politics The post-election politics of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is subject to relationships among Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Iraq
Egypt’s students fuel anti-government protests In the wake of the June 30 ouster of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, student movements have once again reasserted their role as a driving force behind anti-government protests. Egypt
Palestinian women protest to end political Hamas-Fatah split A group of women conduct sit-ins each week in Gaza's Park of the Unknown Soldier, calling for an end to the Palestinian division between Fatah and Hamas. Palestine
Palestinian press freedom under threat The recent arrest and physical abuse of Palestinian journalists by Palestinian police has raised fears of a crackdown on freedom of press. Palestine
Tribal mediations undermine Yemen state institutions Given the tribal nature of Yemeni society, disputes are often resolved via state-sponsored “mediation committees,” which undermine the state and rule of law. Yemen
World Bank vice president surveys regional economies An exclusive interview with Inger Andersen, vice president of the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank. Egypt
Turkey close to deal with China for anti-missile system Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defense Industries says they are 90% done on the agreement purchasing an anti-missile system from China, but notes that there still could be a political decision to abort the agreement. Turkey
The Muslim Brotherhood's bankrupt 'strategic vision' The Muslim Brotherhood's latest statement, and offer of dialogue, is rife with dull redundancy. Egypt
Mistrust Clouds Israeli-Palestinian talks According to a Palestinian source, no understanding has been reached so far by the negotiating parties. Palestine
Egypt’s old and new battle over revolutionary discourse The Mohamed Mahmoud Street protests mark the first attempt by nonpartisan revolutionaries to reclaim the narrative that has been hijacked by the military and the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Where is 'Democracy Brigade' to fight sectarian terrorists? The proliferation of sectarian violence overwhelms the region, which needs a democratic backlash. Saudi Arabia
Turkey may investigate military’s burning of Kurdish villages The Turkish government may launch an investigation into the destruction of Kurdish villages by state military forces in southeastern Turkey in the 1990s. Turkey
Drug addiction takes toll in Iran Iran has more than 1.3 million registered drug addicts, costing the Iranian economy an estimated $10 billion. Iran
The Syrian shadow on Lebanon-Saudi ties Lebanese President Michel Suleiman reviews Lebanon-Saudi ties in an official visit to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Will separation wall be new Israel-Palestine border? Recent developments in the Palestinian village of al-Ram might indicate a long-term plan to demarcate a future border along the separation wall. Palestine
