WikiLeaks sheds light on Turkey’s mysterious ‘Annotators’ Were the "Annotators" really terrorists connected to al-Qaeda? Or were they victims of a conspiracy by the “parallel state”? WikiLeaks offers some hints. Turkey
Israeli political parties: Who needs primaries? Instead of working to preserve the parties' democratic workings, Tzipi Livni, Yair Lapid and Moshe Kahlon opted to gain sole control. Israel
Obama: Diplomacy with Iran has restrained nuclear program US President Barack Obama says that since the start of the nuclear talks with Iran, it is "probably the first year-and-a-half in which Iran has not advanced its nuclear program in the last decade." Iran
Turkey’s high court could pull rug from under AKP Turkey's Constitutional Court is to rule on an electoral threshold issue that some believe could end the Justice and Development Party's 12-year rule. Turkey
Lebanon, Argentina arrive at consensus over 1992 attack Lebanese and Argentine officials recently discussed the 1992 suicide bombing at the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, with both sides arriving at the conclusion that Lebanon held no responsibility. Israel
Iran media slams domestic critics of nuclear program Domestic critics of Iran's nuclear program have been chastised in a number of conservative Iranian media outlets. Iran
Israelis enjoy Polish-style Christmas Eve dinner Israelis of Polish origin or affiliation enjoyed a traditional Polish-style Christmas Eve dinner, reminiscing about such occasions back in Poland in the old days when Christians and Jews alike were enjoying this delicious dinner together. Israel
Under crackdown, Turkish media close ranks Under government attack, Gulenist journalists are seeking support from colleagues whose imprisonment they once supported, warning that they could be next. Turkey
Livni, Herzog worry Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears that Labor Party Chairman Isaac Herzog and former Justice Minister Tzipi Livni will infiltrate "his” diplomatic-defense arena and convince voters that the world is opposed specifically to the right wing's settlement policy, not that “the whole world is against us.” Israel
Syrian regime pursues draft dodgers The Syrian regime is imposing tough new measures to prevent young men in regime-held areas from avoiding military conscription. Syria
Nidaa Tunis, Ennahda agree on economic policy Nidaa Tunis and Ennahda share a similar economic vision for stabilizing the Tunisian economy, raising the question of whether there will be a true political opposition to challenge government policies. Tunisia
EU decision boosts Russian, UN diplomacy on Syria Russia, the United Nations and Iran lead diplomatic initiative in Syria; Iran and Turkey discuss counterterrorism; al-Qaeda-linked group advances in Syria; Aleppo’s radicalization; Hamas seeks to rebuild ties with Iran. Israel
Critics condemn AKP's tough police overhaul proposals For some, the AKP-drafted internal security legislation is needed to preserve Turkey's public order; for others it is a chaos package that will allow arbitrary action by the state. Turkey
Pro-Erdogan artists, writers stir controversy in Turkey Unconditional support for Erdogan from writers, musicians and movie stars animates angry debates that deepen social discord in an already deeply divided Turkey. Turkey
Can Israel, Palestine exist in one space? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Dan Goldenblatt, co-CEO of the Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information, presents his vision of two states in one space, arguing that this proposed solution could be accepted by both the Israeli right and the Palestinians. Palestine
Iraqi volunteers' victories don't justify atrocities The popular mobilization, which is formed of Shiite volunteers to fight the Islamic State, has been both sanctified and demonized in Iraqi media, in light of its success in warding off IS from certain cities, while at the same time committing violations on the battlefield. Iraq
