All Middle East
Egyptian presidential debate underscores Islamist vs. establishment divideEgypt's first ever presidential debate pitted stability against revolutionary fervor. Elections are scheduled for later this month.
Iran nuclear talks: Are sanctions on the table?A senior Iranian figure stated that Iran's 'minimum expectation' for the upcoming negotiations was a lifting of some sanctions, but sanctions are notoriously hard to remove.
Israel's coalition government: Israeli and Arab media react Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surprised Israel (and its Arab neighbors) when he announced the creation of a unity government on May 8: Israeli and Arab media react.- After underwear plot, Saudi officials cite headway against AQAPSaudi officials refused to discuss their involvement in disrupting the latest underwear bomb plot from Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), but say they are making gains against the group.
Israel's unity government: a bid to represent the majorityFor decades, Israel's system of representation gave tiny parties an outsized voice, particularly on the issue of settlements. The unity government now has a chance to prioritize majority views.
How Netanyahu's 'unity' government may affect Palestinians, IranPrime Minister Netanyahu jolted Israeli politics by forming a 'unity' government with the centrist Kadima party, arguing it will promote stability at a time of contentious challenges.
Syria holds an election despite months of fightingThe election is the first multiparty poll since Syria's new constitution was adopted in February. But early voting appeared thin as the opposition refused to participate.
Iraq's unity tested by rising tensions over oil-rich Kurdish regionAs Iraqi Kurdistan ramps up oil production that could soon surpass Libya's output, Kurdish leaders have warned they may seek independence if disputes over oil revenues, power-sharing aren't resolved.
Hunger intifada? Palestinian prisoners wield new-old tool against Israel.As many as half of the Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails have followed the example of Khader Adnan, whose 66-day hunger strike became something of a cause c茅l猫bre earlier this year.
Ayatollah Khamenei gives Iran nuclear talks unprecedented legitimacyIran's supreme leader appears much more involved in current nuclear negotiations, meaning that any deal struck will not face resistance back in Iran. But he's also likely to press for a harder line.
Egypt's military could hand over power this monthAfter protest clashes, the military sought to reassure all parties that it will hand over power to a civilian president. The first round of elections is May 23-24.
Is the Palestinian Authority really a 'fig leaf' for Israeli occupation?That's the charge of Yossi Beilin, Israeli architect of the Oslo accords. In an interview with the Monitor, he defends his recent call for the PA to be dissolved 鈥� 19 years after he helped set it up.
New kind of Israeli politician? Yair Lapid doesn't talk about Iran, PalestiniansYair Lapid, a hunky former TV news columnist, has fashioned himself as the everyman of a new generation of Israelis. But he faces tough competition from incumbent Netanyahu.
Syrian uprising shifts toward suicide bombings. Al Qaeda's handiwork?Today's suicide bombings in Syria's Idlib province come just three days after a suicide bombing in Damascus claimed by a salafi jihadist organization.
Early Israeli elections? What it would mean for US, IranIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled on Sunday for the first time that he is liable to move up Israel鈥檚 elections from next year to this year.- Violence abates as UN observers visit Syrian battlefield of HomsWhile many analysts discount the chances of the UN peace plan working, visits by UN observers are showing some sign of temporarily reducing the violence.
Yemen's President Hadi surprises pessimists with moves toward reformTwo months into office, the longtime deputy of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh has sacked numerous Saleh appointees and shaken up the military leadership.
Rare success story for Egypt's revolution: ending military trialsAfter the revolution, some 12,000 Egyptians faced military trials, which were as short as five minutes and denied them basic rights. But a grass-roots group intervened, with surprising success.- What's the Israel-Azerbaijan connection?Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's visit to Azerbaijan underscores growing ties, including a $1.6 billion Israeli deal to supply Iran's neighbor with a wide range of military equipment.
Syria: Why only 15 UN observers on the ground so far?The UN says it will take a month to get the full 300-member observer mission on the ground, due to logistical difficulties. The delay could scuttle UN envoy Kofi Annan's peace plan.