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
'Culture of fear' for region's minorities Conferences recently dedicated to the plight of Middle East Christians need to be understood in broader context. Egypt
Obama goes big in the Middle East The US-Russia agreement on Syria’s chemical weapons, a possible nuclear deal with Iran, and Israeli-Palestinian peace talks are all signs that the Obama administration may be charting a new course in the region. Palestine
Lebanese Shiite leader launches interfaith dialogue The prominent Lebanese Shiite scholar Ali Fadlallah has launched a new initiative aimed at promoting interfaith dialogue and cooling sectarian tensions in the region. Lebanon
Turkey’s English proficiency improving Turkey ranks No. 41 at this year’s English Proficiency Index, but it tops the list of countries that are trending up – which is a fair reflection of its economic achievement. Saudi Arabia
Levant Christians consider threats to their communities During a gathering of Christian representatives from various Near East countries in Beirut, participants were divided when it came to determining their main enemy and strategies for the future. Yemen
Playing Umm Kulthoum for Israelis Sami Khsheibun, creator of the “Queen of the Nile” — a tribute concert to Egyptian singer Umm Kulthoum — is building musical bridges between the worlds of oriental classical music and Western classical. Palestine
'Next Generation' Seeks WMD-Free Zone in Middle East A network of young strategists from across the region sees new opportunities for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction.-- Syria
Syria’s Race Against Time UN-Arab League Joint Representative Lakhdar Brahimi presses for Geneva II, while Saudi women are on the road again. Saudi Arabia
Can Saudi Withdrawal From Security Council Spark Dialogue? While unfortunate, the withdrawal of Saudi Arabia from the UN Security Council may focus attention on the lack of an Arab voice at the UN. Saudi Arabia
Is Libi’s Al-Qaeda Manual A Blueprint for Arab Spring? The famous “Manchester Manual” of captured al-Qaeda operative Abu Anas al-Libi reveals more about jihadist intentions for “apostate” Arab regimes than Western targets. Pan Arab
Khaleeji Cities Are Present, Future As argued by Sultan al-Qassemi, the Gulf cities of Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi deserve to be recognized as the new, 21st century centers of the Arab world. Pan Arab
US 'Strategic Retreat' In MideastPuzzles China China wonders why the United States is squandering so much capital with such little return. Israel
