Congress prepares letters, initiatives ahead of AIPAC confab As the AIPAC policy conference begins the House and Senate are preparing letters urging the Obama administration to regularly brief congress on the nuclear negotiations with Iran. Originals
Iraqi oil dispute reveals KRG vulnerability There might be a short-term fix before the Iraqi elections in April, but a lasting solution on the Baghdad-Erbil hydrocarbon question is not imminent. Iraq
AIPAC expected to lobby for Iran sanctions bill that Obama has vowed to veto During its annual policy conference, AIPAC is expected to lobby for the Kirk-Menendez Iran sanctions bill, which was earlier shelved after having 59 co-sponsors and a veto pledge from Obama. Originals
Erdogan counting on elections to recoup from scandals Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is banking on the polls, not the courts, to vindicate himself from the current allegations of corruption. Turkey
After AIPAC and J Street, Israel's third lobby: ZPAC? Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman reportedly will break from Likud to run separately in the next elections. Palestine
Why is Turkey buying more gas than it needs from Iran? Why does Turkey want to double its gas imports from Iran when it's already importing more gas than it consumes? Turkey
Hamas slams PA for removing religion from ID cards Hamas is saying that the Palestinian Authority's decision to abolish religion from national ID cards is a prelude to accommodating Jewish settlers in a future Palestinian state. Palestine
Expectations low for Paris conference on Lebanon Supporting Lebanon’s neutrality and providing limited funds to deal with the Syrian refugees may be all that the Paris conference achieves. Lebanon
Iraq’s budget problems go beyond Erbil-Baghdad crisis As the conflict continues between Baghdad and Erbil regarding Iraqi Kurdistan's share in the state budget, there is a pressing need for the government to address other budget-related issues, namely its near total dependence on oil. Iraq
Valentine’s Day a day of hope in Iraq Iraqis began celebrating Valentine’s Day after the fall of the regime of former President Saddam Hussein in 2003, but it is not just for couples — it serves as a means to express one’s love for the country. Iraq
US, Saudi still far apart on regional issues Saudi Arabia and the United States have competing visions for the future of the Middle East, with Saudi regional policy deeply rooted in its own domestic concerns. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s warring personality cults In the absence of well-grounded institutions, politics in Turkey often devolves into a battle of personalities, as we see now between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen. Turkey
Abbas should condition peace talks on lifting Gaza siege Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should respond to Israeli and US pressure to extend peace talks by insisting Israel lifts its siege on the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Hamas uses backchannel to Tel Aviv According to Hamas sources, the Islamist movement sent an indirect message to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and not for the first time. Palestine
Sisi not Egypt’s civilian Messiah Whoever becomes Egypt’s next president must do three things, including bringing all political parties together if Egypt is to be able to rebuild its economy and political institutions. Egypt
Armed groups on rise in Anbar The Anbar crisis is escalating to the point where people have lost their faith and trust in the army and government as sectarian fighting intensifies. Iraq
