Gaza Palestinians wish for electricity in 2014 For the year 2014, all Gaza Palestinians wish for better electricity, while some want a better economy and for Hamas and Fatah to unite. Palestine
Israel's new eastern front The value of Israel's alliance with Jordan is far greater than that of a battalion of Israeli soldiers in the Jordan Valley, the demand for which is threatening to derail Kerry’s initiative. Palestine
Erdogan faces 'Year of Truth' The latest scandal engulfing Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could shake his firm grip on power. Turkey
Arab-Israeli city Umm al-Fahm figures in Liberman's land-swap plan Israel's foreign minister is pushing for attaching the town of Umm al-Fahm, synonymous in Israel with loyalty to the Palestinian cause, to the future Palestinian state. Palestine
Palestinian-Israeli framework recalls previous interim agreement The structure of the current US-brokered negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians allows both sides to evade compromise. Palestine
Longtime Sharon associate calls on parties to close peace deal Former Knesset member Majallie Whbee, a close associate of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, deplores Israeli leaders for not seizing the moment: “We have a window of opportunity of just a few years to complete an agreement.” Palestine
Lebanese society on verge of further breakdown In Lebanon, new security threats arise almost daily, threatening the country's stability. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia, France make their move in Lebanon Hezbollah reacts to Saudi Arabia providing $3 billion in aid to the Lebanese army to buy French weapons. Saudi Arabia
The Saudi challenge to US Syria policy Saudi Arabia proposes a military force to deter Iran and assist rebel forces to overthrow the Syrian government. Gulf
Five reasons 2014 could be tough year for Erdogan While 2013 was an annus horribilis for Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), 2014 could be worse. Turkey
Erdogan’s ex-confidant Bayraktar: Will he speak? Erdogan Bayraktar, Turkey’s proverbial “contractor-in-chief” for a decade, who resigned from his post in the government after his son was briefly detained on corruption charges, and called on PM Erdogan to follow suit, is seen as the “black box” of government’s mostly unaudited business. Turkey
What next after death of al-Qaeda leader in Lebanon? Iran had wanted to interrogate Majid al-Majid. Lebanon
Kerry's elusive framework for Israeli-Palestinian security US Secretary of State John Kerry recognizes that Israel will only accept a deal that will strengthen Israel’s security in the Jordan Valley. Israel
Iran's domestic consensus key to nuclear deal More sanctions from the US Congress could throw into disarray the current consensus in Iran between the two competing approaches, and end the nuclear deal. Iran
