Turkey slides into deeper isolation over Syria Turkey’s Western allies are increasingly frustrated with its attempts to direct the US-led military coalition’s focus from the Islamic State to the Syrian regime, while Russia and Iran are openly opposing Turkey’s attempts to establish a buffer zone. Syria
Turkish government risks isolating Kurds, facing IS alone Turkey's strategic missteps in handling the Kurdish fight against the Islamic State in Kobani may lead to future domestic violence. Turkey
In battle against Kurds, is it AKP's policy to back IS? Turkey is heading down a dangerous path toward violence, with the potential of a civil war and/or intercommunal fighting. Turkey
Iraqi poets en route to Baghdad to spread peace A group of Iraqi poets have organized an anti-violence convoy that will go through several Iraqi provinces, where intellectuals will read poetry in public spaces to promote peace and unity in the country. Iraq
Iran nuclear negotiator says talks may be extended once more Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, one of Iran's nuclear negotiators, has said that if the next round of nuclear talks do not make progress, a final deal by the Nov. 24 deadline will not be possible and another extension may be needed. Iran
Egyptian activists fear new penalties for foreign funding Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued a presidential decree increasing punishment for groups receiving foreign funding in the context of counterterrorism, but activists fear the new measures will target them. Egypt
Iraq should use IS war to rebuild foreign relations The war against the Islamic State provides Iraq with an opportunity to rebuild fractured relations with neighboring countries and others. Iraq
Palestinian Christian village cancels Oktoberfest The West Bank Christian village of Taybeh has canceled its annual Oktoberfest this year out of respect for the victims of the Gaza war. Palestine
Ethnic dimension of Iraqi Assyrians often ignored Iraqi Assyrians are often referred to simply as “Christians,” but there is an ancient, distinctive ethnic aspect to Assyrian groups that is overlooked, thus undermining their rights. Iraq
Asylum seekers pawns in political power struggle The Knesset and the government have a variety of ways to address the issue of African illegal immigrants short of jailing them without trial, but the right wing prefers to use them to attack the judiciary. Israel
Can P5+1 formula work for Israel, Palestinians? While Palestinian officials partially welcome the idea of a P5+1 framework for multilateral negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates count on the Americans to nip this idea in the bud. Palestine
Obama administration downgrades signature Mideast democracy program Critics say counterterrorism trumps the United States' Middle East agenda to the detriment of democracy promotion. Egypt
Is Islamic State symptom of the Assad problem? Turkey's policymakers need to take seriously the Islamic State's growing power, instead of dismissing the group as a "symptom" of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Syria
Kurd vs. Kurd: internal clashes continue in Turkey Islamist and nationalist Kurds in Turkey have recently engaged in violent clashes stemming from events in Syria, raising concerns about the future of the Kurdish movement. Turkey
Will Kuwaiti diplomat's road rage hurt Turkish economy? The Kuwaiti ambassador in Ankara is threatening that Kuwait will withdraw investments from Turkey if his military attaché is expelled after a traffic brawl with a Turkish fighter pilot. Kuwait
Why are Turkey's conservatives obsessed with sex? Conservatives in Turkey use sexuality as a tool to control society, the latest being the ban on wearing "tights" by staff of the state opera. Turkey
