Are Israeli voters more worried about security or economy? Some Israeli left-wing politicians have hinted lately that the reported attack on Syria well serves Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Likud Party ahead of the elections, shifting public focus away from an economic agenda back to security threats. Israel
Netanyahu’s electoral strategy: Demonize Europe While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using the series of European resolutions against Israel to advance his election campaign, his political rivals are silent, aware that the public is mostly interested in its economic hardships. Israel
As Yemen changes, Russia's position stays the same While Yemen has undergone upheaval, Russia has remained focused on containing Sunni Islamic extremism. Yemen
Who keeps bombing French Cultural Center in Gaza? The French Cultural Center in Gaza has been targeted twice in two months, raising suspicions about who is behind the attacks, since the center is located near Hamas security headquarters and the unity government's Interior Ministry. Palestine
Qom, Najaf call for improved relations with Saudi Arabia Prominent religious authorities in both Qom and Najaf have called on political leaders in their countries to improve their relations with Saudi Arabia after the latter took a strict stance against Salafist jihadism. Saudi Arabia
Expanding defense budgets feed fears of Middle East arms race A new report on arms-producing companies offers insight into the Middle East, where military experts say the armament race is likely to continue at an increasing pace. Pan Arab
Hamas asks Iran for money, weapons A senior Hamas delegation visited Tehran last week to ask Iran to resume its financial and military aid to the beleaguered Palestinian Islamist movement. Palestine
After Damascus talks, Moscow pressures Syria Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov’s Dec. 10-11 visit to Damascus and increased contact with Turkey signal a shift in Russian-Syrian relations as Moscow looks for a political solution. Lebanon
Sanctions, sabotage, science delay Iran's missile program Experts say Iran’s missile program should not be an impediment to a comprehensive nuclear deal, but that Iran should be encouraged to keep its pledges not to build long-range ballistic missiles. Regional
IRGC responds to Rouhani's comments Following the president's warning against the consolidation of power, the head of the IRGC has criticized interpretations of strife between the president and his organization, which he credits with maintaining Iran's opposition to the United States. Iran
How foreign imams radicalized Syria's war When eastern Aleppo fell to rebel factions, radical preachers from abroad quickly moved in and began proselytizing extremist views to the local population, raising fears that such effects may linger for years to come. Syria
Baghdad struggles in its role as mediator The Iraqi government is still struggling to present itself as a neutral intermediary between the various sectarian and regional forces, while the United States has started talks with Sunni parties on security cooperation. Iraq
Iraqis hungry for knowledge on country's displaced Jews Official suppression of the history of Jews forced to leave Iraq in the mid-20th century ended with the toppling of Saddam Hussein and is now being explored in movies and news reports. Iraq
Netanyahu plays on US partisan politics The Palestinians should suggest a diplomatic initiative that is hard to refuse, instead of a one-sided Palestinian overture to the UN, just as the Republicans and Democrats should show unity condemning the Israeli occupation so that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could not play on this seeming divide. Palestine
Hamas official confirms Qassam rocket tests Hamas' testing of Qassam rockets points to the movement's failure to draw the right conclusions or lessons from its last confrontation with Israel. Palestine
A united Israeli-Arab party could force Netanyahu out Polls indicate that if the Israeli-Arab parties unite they could become a real political power, but ideological and personal issues remain. Israel
