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
Whatever happened to the Arab Spring? Three years on, the old Arab order remains and the democratic transition is still distant. Pan Arab
Rise of Islamic Front a disaster for Syria The ascendance of the Islamic Front threatens a political transition in Syria; Lebanon paralyzed by Syria conflict; Farea al-Muslimi named FP Leading Global Thinker. Saudi Arabia
Private sector key to development in Middle East, North Africa Arab governments need to give room and encourage private sector growth if they’re serious about developing their economies. Pan Arab
Demand for women-only buses in Istanbul Demands for women-only buses indicate a deeper debate about Islamization of Turkish public space. Turkey
US, region pivot to confront terrorist threat in Syria Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari warns of a "Islamic emirate" in Syria, former US diplomat Ryan Crocker suggests a channel to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Israeli President Shimon Peres says he would be willing to meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. Bahrain
Iran deal recasts regional politics The consequences of the agreement are already extending beyond Iran’s nuclear program. Israel
Pope Francis confronts indifference, cynicism Pope Francis has opened many vistas that constitute opportunities for enlightened policies, not only for the Catholic Church, but a significant contribution to the dialogue of civilizations. Pan Arab
Iran deal expected to slow Palestinian-Israeli talks The breakthrough in Iran's nuclear talks may prompt Israel to drag its feet in its own US-sponsored talks with the Palestinians. Palestine
Water cooperation for a secure world The Blue Peace framework provides a new opportunity for cooperative approaches to the management of global water resources. Pan Arab
Who decides how to rank Arab women? A recent report by Thomson Reuters ranking Arab women is laden with Western cultural stereotypes of Arabs. Egypt
Crisis of democracy for Islamic parties While Islamic parties in the Middle East have been keen to use democracy as a way to reach power and maintain their authority, they do not apply democratic principles when it comes to other aspects of governance. Turkey
Police reforms to combat sexual violence not enough Several initiatives by Middle East countries may be a good start, but there is still a long way to go to combat sexual violence in the region. Yemen
