Are Arabs ready to invest in Palestine? The current political and economic landscape in the Palestinian territories may not favor a conference for Arab investments, which the Palestinian Authority is banking on to boost its economy. Palestine
Palestinians protest US ‘Peace to Prosperity’ plan Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza protested the US "Peace to Prosperity" plan, as it ignores their basic demands of freedom and dignity. Bahrain
Scorn for US peace plan brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is calling for a Palestinian-Lebanese dialogue to counter the US peace plan, an approach welcomed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Palestine
Why Arabs are pressuring PA to take part in Bahrain summit Some Arab countries are placing political and financial pressure on the Palestinian Authority to reconsider its rejection of the Bahrain economic workshop, which the United States is holding later this month to kick off its peace plan. Gulf
Israel, China and the Arab Initiative For how long will China continue its “business as usual” policy with Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu keeps squandering the Arab Peace Initiative? Israel
No 'Good Guys' Or 'Bad Guys' in Syria Saudi Arabia and Qatar need to support a diplomatic outcome in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Russia Confronts Mideast SalafistsBy Courting Christians, Minorities Russia is courting Middle Eastern minorities, especially Christians, in a bid to confront Salafist extremism, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Israel
Shahnameh of the Digital Age A vibrant new version of the Persian epic reconstructs 500 years' worth of images and texts to create a modern mythology for English speakers and Iranians alike, writes Roja Heydarpour. Pan Arab
Palestinians in Jerusalem Skeptical of Arab Support Jerusalemites have heard Arab promises of support before, but have yet to see any of them fulfilled, Daoud Kuttab writes. Palestine
It's Time to Dust Off Arab Peace Initiative According to Nassif Hitti, the Arab Peace Initiative is the most comprehensive initiative in addressing the Arab-Israeli conflict. Lebanon
Declining OPEC Leverage Predicted in BP Forecast Growing energy production and diversification in the United States could make the US 99% energy sufficient by 2030, decreasing OPEC’s leverage over oil prices. Pan Arab
Davutoglu Invokes Ottomanism As a New Order for Mideast Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's suggestion of an Ottoman model for a new Middle East order is likely a misreading of regional politics that could prove hard for Turkey to back away from, writes Tulin Daloglu. Syria
Obama’s Visit to Israel Is All About Iran US President Barack Obama will have a broad regional agenda when he visits Israel, including the peace process, but the trip is really all about Iran, writes Alon Pinkas. Israel
Poll: Sectarianism, Syria Drive Negative Image of Iran The rise of sectarian tensions as a result of the Syrian conflict, and Iran’s support for the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have contributed to negative perceptions of Iran in the region, according to a new Zogby poll, reports Barbara Slavin. Pan Arab
Harlem Shake, Mideast-Style The inventor of the original "Harlem Shake" once said his inspiration came from ancient Egypt, which means the dance has made it all the way back to its roots. From students in Tunisia to protesters in Egypt to the “harem shake,” watch videos of the craze that has taken over the Middle East and the globe. Pan Arab
Pass the Tofu and Hold the Kebabs:Muslims Embrace Vegetarianism Ruqaya Izzidien writes that with the production of meat as it is today, there are plenty of of good reasons for Muslims to cut down on meat, or even go vegetarian, that stem from Islamic history, Quranic injunctions and problems afflicting the modern food industry. Pan Arab
