Maliki’s call for unity conference in Anbar may be too late Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently called for a conference to solve the Anbar crisis, which might be futile if the tribal and political differences are not settled first. Iraq
Iran's supreme leader says US has given up on military attack Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the United States will not take military action against Iran and expressed hope for the eventual success of the Arab Spring. Originals
Syria confident of Russian military support In an interview with Al-Monitor in Damascus, a senior Syrian official said the Syrian war would end like the Algerian one, with the state defeating the terrorists and staying in power. Syria
Iran-UAE trade talks another sign of Gulf thaw The United Arab Emirates, and Dubai in particular, is considering potential costs and benefits if Iran opens up to the global economy. United Arab Emirates
Erdogan's interest rate agenda Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's pressure on the Central Bank governor to lower the interest rate is a mix of populism and ideology. Turkey
Erdogan's conduct focus of speculation When traveling abroad, Turks are increasingly questioned about the behavior of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Saudi anti-terrorism law casts wide net The detention of prominent Saudi rights activist Waleed Abulkhair has drawn attention to the controversial anti-terror law. Saudi Arabia
Gaza travel agencies offer false hope of emigration Several travel agencies in the Gaza Strip are taking part in illegal emigration, often taking thousands of dollars from would-be Palestinian emigrants who risk their lives to reach Europe. Palestine
Sudan protest victims still seeking justice Prosecution of the killers of as many as 200 protesters in the September-October 2013 riots have been slowed by Sudanese courts. Sudan
Obama administration holding up Apache helicopters to Egypt Apache helicopters remain in storage six weeks after the Obama administration announced their release to the Egyptian government. Egypt
Poll: Most Arabs oppose US military force in Syria The poll of seven Arab countries also shows declining popularity for Turkey and Iran and criticism of the United States for not sufficiently supporting Egypt’s ousted president, Mohammed Morsi. Egypt
Knesset member describes Israel's gender wars In an interview, Knesset member Yifat Kariv assures Al-Monitor that she will not give up on advancing women, particularly the ultra-Orthodox, in the Israeli political arena. Israel
Yemen forces take lead in battle with al-Qaeda Yemeni forces have taken charge in the latest offensive against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, winning the support of the public. Yemen
Did elections spark 'dancing revolution' in Egypt? Some saw the dancing at polling stations across Egypt as a way to express feelings once demonstrations were banned. Egypt
Ex envoy Ford says could not defend US Syria policy Former US Syria envoy Robert Ford claims he resigned because he could not defend the US policy toward Syria, which he believes has failed to address the bloodshed and the conflict’s causes. Originals
Arab Peace Initiative still Israel's best option Israeli leaders who refuse to take up the Arab Peace Initiative are missing a historic chance for peace. Israel
