Turkey makes splash in Mediterranean with naval acquisition Turkey’s purchase of a landing platform dock vessel is raising questions about its naval strategy. Turkey
Turkey energy deal with KRG lacks transparency Turkey risks its reliability by keeping quiet on its energy deal with the Kurdistan Regional Government. Iraq
Turkish Kurds react to court decision on Roboski bombing Turkey's military prosecutor has decided not to prosecute those behind the deadly December 2011 Roboski incident, causing Kurds to lose their hope of finding justice. Syria
Lebanon's age of extremism Is the center of gravity in the Syria war expanding from Damascus to Beirut? Lebanon
Turkish Intelligence Agency (MIT) at center of political storm The myth of a "new MIT" has been caught in the crossfire of the AKP-Gulen movement battle. Syria
African refugees teach Israeli society lesson in civics After years of ignoring the fate of African asylum seekers, the human dilemma has risen to the top of Israel's public discourse, forcing the authorities to confront it. Israel
Iraq’s future uncertain as Anbar escalates Recent clashes in Anbar have made Iraq's future even more uncertain. Iraq
Hamas ready for security cooperation with Egypt In response to the latest Egyptian accusations against Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement has called for security cooperation to end the rift. Palestine
Israel appears disoriented on peace talks Israeli leaders are offering conflicting statements on the peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Palestine
Iraq: Four armed groups fighting in Fallujah The fighting in Iraq’s Anbar province is complex, with forces belonging to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), local tribes, al-Qaeda and assorted armed groups. Iraq
Coptic Christmas in North Sinai marred by security concerns El-Arish's Coptic Christians proceed with Christmas Mass despite threats from militants. Egypt
Egypt: What to expect in 2014 Al-Monitor presents an in-depth look ahead at the key political dynamics and events likely to define Egypt in the coming year. Egypt
Geneva II must achieve peaceful solution The Syrian government, the Syrian opposition and the world must take advantage of the opportunities afforded by Geneva II to bring peace to Syria. Saudi Arabia
Lapid on peace talks: 'Our role is to back the prime minister' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid says that the main role of his party within the coalition is to make sure that the Israeli government remains committed to negotiations with the Palestinians, calling US Secretary of State John Kerry "a very fair mediator." Palestine
Lebanon faces three January deadlines January 2014 will include three significant events for Lebanon related to the formation of the new government, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the Geneva II Syria Conference. Lebanon
Turkey’s leading anti-corruption prosecutor accused of corruption Turkey's most famous prosecutor, Zekeriya Oz, gets snared in the AKP-Gulen controversy. Turkey
