Erdogan’s Germany visit all about Turkish politics Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s trip to Berlin was a political show for his audience back home and is not likely to affect Turkish-German relations. Turkey
Iran, Israel and the politics of gesture Iranian and Israeli officials are listening to each other at international conferences. Israel
Israeli singer with right-wing views denied lifetime award Despite xenophobic statements by singer Ariel Zilber, the Israeli right blames the left of persecuting him over the decision to award him a lifetime achievement award. Israel
Does Turkey really need long-range missiles? Turkey moves ahead with its plans to build its own ballistic missile capability. Turkey
Satirical Turkish site on trial for insulting religion Turkish prosecutors are busily pursuing “insults” to Islam, while hate speech against Jews and Christians goes largely unnoticed. Turkey
Iraqi vendors diversify supplies in response to Syria, Anbar conflicts Military operations launched in the Anbar province, located along the Syrian border, have disrupted the import of goods from Syria, leading Iraqi vendors to turn to other states to import goods. Iraq
Abbas keeps options open with gesture to Iran Senior Palestinian officials from Ramallah have recently visited Damascus and Tehran, suggesting President Mahmoud Abbas is exploring other options if US-brokered peace talks with Israel fail. Palestine
Israel-Palestinian peace requires realism on Jordan Valley Trilateral cooperation projects to save the Dead Sea and the Jordan River must be accompanied by transferring parts of the Jordan Valley to Palestinian sovereignty. Palestine
Iraq needs law to protect minorities Although the Iraqi constitution stipulates rights for all the country’s "components," there is a pressing need for a law that specifies and ensures minority rights in particular. Iraq
Libya’s forgotten war victims Libyan civilians killed or injured during the NATO bombing campaign were excluded from government support for "martyrs" of the revolution that overthrew Moammar Gadhafi. Libya
Gul, Erdogan agree on Gulenists Turkey's prime minister and president are both convinced that Gulenists organized within the state should be confronted within the confines of law, reflecting the Turkish state's unity against the Gulenists. Turkey
SodaStream is wrong target for Oxfam’s Israel boycott Boycott threats against Israel's SodaSteam company will achieve the opposite of advancing peace, by destroying an example of Israeli-Palestinian commercial cooperation and depriving hundreds of Palestinian families of their livelihoods. Palestine
US Working Group gives wrong advice on Egypt A distinguished group of US experts on Egypt offers the wrong advice on Egypt. Palestine
Turkey-Israel ties may be linked to gas pipeline Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is inching toward normalization of Turkey-Israel relations. Israel
Lebanon has historic chance to regain neutrality The conflict between the Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon is an opportunity for Christians to revive the Baabda Declaration, which calls for Lebanon’s neutrality, a historic Christian principle. Lebanon
Gaza factions limit cellphone use to avoid Israeli assassinations Hamas and Islamic Jihad have instructed their members to minimize their use of cellphones, as they are monitored by Israel to pinpoint assassination targets. Palestine
