ISIS leader al-Baghdadi proves formidable enemy Contrary to his predecessors, Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has proven to be more pragmatic and devious. Iraq
Iraqi orders are to kill, not capture, terrorists The order to kill captured gunmen instead of arresting them stirs a political and moral debate in Iraq. Iraq
Turkish power struggle leaves new questions on Kurdish issue The AKP-Gulen power struggle has raised new questions about the killings in Paris in January 2013 of three Kurdish activists. Turkey
Saudi Arabia's anti-terror law not enough The kingdom can and should do more to prevent Saudis from joining terrorist forces in Syria and elsewhere. Saudi Arabia
Homemade bombs widespread in Egypt As clashes continue in Egypt between supporters and opponents of the interim regime, homemade bombs have begun to spread, with some groups claiming that they are a legitimate means for confronting the excessive violence of the police and security services. Egypt
Israeli security officials recognize change in Iran Although Israel is keeping its military option on the table, Israeli defense officials privately acknowledge that Iran is undergoing a "historic" change. Israel
Erdogan, the Cemaat, CHP: troubled triangle over religion's place in Turkey Turkey's Religious Affairs Directorate intervenes in the warfare between the Erdogan camp and the Cemaat with its sermon on Friday. Turkey
Iran FM Zarif, meeting Kerry, says not authorized to discuss Syria During a meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, US secretary of State John Kerry and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif discussed the P5+1 negotiations, when Kerry raised Syria Zarif stated he was not authorized to discuss the matter. Originals
Roundup: Obama to Riyadh, Israel DM in front row for Zarif talk In the past week there have been several developments in US foreign policy, Saudi Arabia, Iran,and Syria. Originals
Geneva II not the only game in town on Syria The real negotiations, including among Syrian parties and their backers, are taking place away from the media. Syria
Why is the PKK siding with the AKP in the AKP-Gulen conflict? The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) may believe that the enemy of my friend is my enemy. Turkey
Herzog: opposition not yet seeking alternative government Opposition leader Isaac Herzog has no intention of joining the coalition or forming an alternative government, reminding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that peace supporters “have a majority in this Knesset for an agreement with the Palestinians.” Palestine
International companies reconsider investment in Iran Iran’s economy and business community are in transition, creating both risks and opportunities for international investors. Iran
Does Netanyahu have plan for settler withdrawal? The settler movement is anxious about the possibility of the Israeli government making a deal that would force them to leave. Palestine
Who will compensate Jewish refugees from Arab lands? Despite a willingness by US envoy Martin Indyk to consider compensation for Jewish refugees as part of an Israeli-Palestinian agreement, no Arab country or the United States has the financial means to make it happen. Israel
Sexual harassment leads Egyptian women to martial arts The Shoft Tahrosh movement in Egypt has launched campaigns that teach women how to defend themselves, following a steep increase in sexual harassment. Egypt
