Diyarbakir: microcosm for Turkey’s Kurdish question While Diyarbakir’s Kurds hope for an economic dividend, it still remains unclear what the end result of Turkey’s Kurdish political process will be. Turkey
Yemen latest front line in Saudi-Qatari feud The Gulf dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar is further straining Yemen’s already fragile stability, as both states vie for greater influence in the country. Saudi Arabia
Kiss between Rafsanjani, Saudi ambassador stirs controversy A warm greeting between Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani and the new Saudi Arabian ambassador to Iran, Abdulrahman Bin Groman Shahri, has angered many Saudis, who still view the two countries as regional rivals. Saudi Arabia
Israeli ministers exploit Mimouna celebrations When celebrating the Mimouna, mayors of development towns collaborate with Israeli politicians by offering them a marvelous photo opportunity, instead of confronting them with the dire needs of their towns. Israel
Iran: business as usual without UN ambassador The US rejection of Iran’s nominee for permanent representative to the United Nations has been a headache for Iran, but has not upset negotiations on a comprehensive nuclear agreement. Iran
Egypt's diversity test Egypt's ruling military regime is promoting an exclusive Egyptian identity that refuses to acknowledge any differences in society. Egypt
Hakim-led Citizen Coalition could shake up Iraqi elections New coalitions of moderate religious and secular origins could bode well for Iraqi politics and shake up the April 30 elections. Iraq
Iraqi rappers take on government corruption As elections approach, some young Iraqis have turned to rap to express their grievances with corruption and inefficiency in the government. Iraq
Get ready for the next Erdogan decade It seems that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's game plan is to rule Turkey in a very centralized and personalized presidential system at least until 2024. Turkey
Garcia Marquez popular in Iran, among Green Movement Mir-Hossein Mousavi, one of the leaders of the Green Movement under house arrest, said, “If you want to understand my condition, read 'News of a Kidnapping' by Marquez.” Countries
Possible Arak compromise seen bolstering confidence in Iran talks The P5+1 and Iran are moving closer to a compromise on the Arak reactor, which would be a key step toward a comprehensive agreement on Iran's nuclear program. Originals
Bahrain’s disappearing moderates The mainstream opposition has struggled to respond to rising violence. Bahrain
Parliament to defer election of Lebanon’s next president The Lebanese electoral session will be a “feeler” to determine the sizes of the various forces. Lebanon
Turkey's first Communist mayor offers 'another left' A small town in Turkey has become the first municipality to elect a Communist mayor. Turkey
Turkey's atheists get organized Turkey’s Association of Atheists faces negative public perceptions, but is a sign of a trend in Turkish civil society of groups seeking recognition and rights. Turkey
Senior Hamas leader discusses Iran, Syria, Palestinian politics Senior Hamas figure Mahmoud al-Zahar tells Al-Monitor’s Palestine Pulse that Hamas is "ready at any moment" to resume reconciliation talks with Fatah. Palestine