Why Iran is silent about US military deal with neighboring Oman Iran has demonstrated no sign of outrage at a recent US-Omani military deal as the American Indo-Pacific Strategy seems not to clash with Iran's interests in the region. Oman
Egypt gears up for referendum Egypt’s House of Representatives will hold a final vote on the constitutional amendments April 16, before Egyptians at home and abroad vote in a referendum. Egypt
Turkey’s only communist mayor scores another election victory Turkey’s first and only communist mayor beat heavyweight rivals in the March 31 local elections, marking another milestone in his extraordinary political journey. Turkey
Israel’s election battles fought on social networks, not at mass rallies While Blue and White senior officials Benny Ganz and Yair Lapid have a solid presence on social networks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s activities on this platform have only gotten more sophisticated. Israel
Trump paves way for Israel to expand settlements in Golan Shortly after US President Donald Trump decided to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights, Israel announced a plan to build 30,000 new housing units for settlers in the area. Palestine
Palestinian Authority wary of Hamas intentions toward the US The idea that Hamas could deal directly with Washington stirs the Palestinian Authority’s fear of being replaced by the movement. Palestine
Moscow cultivates neutral image as Libya quakes Despite the Russians' nominal condemnation of renewed fighting in Libya and continuing contacts with all the major players, Moscow doesn’t want to see Gen. Khalifa Hifter defeated. Libya
Will Hamas be partner to Trump’s Mideast plan? Some see recent Israeli moves involving Gaza as part of a chess match having to do with President Donald Trump's reported "deal of the century" peace plan. Qatar
Sephardic voters divided on eve of Israeli elections Senior Sephardic ultra-Orthodox figures have announced their support for the Ashkenazi Yahadut HaTorah. Israel
Peace and democracy losers in Israel’s 2019 elections The major losers of the 2019 elections are clear before a single ballot is cast: peace with the Palestinians and the Arab world, public trust in the institutions of government, freedom from religion, and co-existence between Jews and Arabs. Palestine
The backstory to Hifter's march on Tripoli Libya has been in a constant state of civil war for five years, and the unique patterns of the Libyan civil war must not be forgotten as we parse its latest developments. The recent march on Tripoli by Khalifa Hifter's forces is more about media optics and projecting power, than about precipitating a blood bath for control of the capital. Libya
Putin plays Syria card in Israeli, Turkish elections Russian President Vladimir Putin may be the winner with regard to his influence in Syria. Israel
How Iran’s 'justice shares' impede state divestment from the economy The Iranian government’s "justice share" scheme has impeded divestment of state involvement in the economy, further complicating efforts to institute genuine privatization. Iran
Istanbul on brink of bankruptcy Turkish President Erdogan has repeatedly said, “If we lose Istanbul, we lose Turkey,” but he indeed may have lost it electorally and in terms of financial accountability. Turkey
Turkey’s emerging artists dwell in dystopia The Mamut Art Project, an annual platform for young artists, reflects the new generation’s concerns on immigration, gay rights and the destruction of nature in the country. Turkey
