Al-Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

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The Seven Draft Laws Defining Egypt Right Now

Bassem Sabry for Al-Monitor

Egypt’s political debate heats up over draft legislation.

Iran’s UN Ambassador Welcomes Geneva II Conference on Syria

Andrew Parasiliti for Al-Monitor Iran Pulse

Mohammad Khazaee, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, discusses Iran’s position on Syria in an email interview with Al-Monitor.

Kerry’s 'Shawarma Diplomacy' Wins Mixed Palestinian Response

Daoud Kuttab for Al-Monitor Palestine Pulse

US Secretary of State John Kerry’s unscheduled detour in the West Bank to buy a shawarma sandwich has given rise to speculation about his motives.

Syrian Opposition Meets to Prepare for Geneva II

Translated from As-Safir (Lebanon)

The Syrian opposition began a three-day meeting in Istanbul on May 24, in which its various groups will try to address pressing issues in preparation for the coming Geneva negotiations.

Misreading 'Syria Transition Act' in Turkey

Pinar Tremblay for Al-Monitor

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee bill does not signal the imminent arrival of US arms to the Syria opposition.

Tribal Council Leader Addresses Sinai Crisis

Translated from Azzaman (Iraq)

In an interview with Azzaman, Sinai tribal council head Sheikh Ali Freij addresses claims that terrorism thrives in the Sinai peninsula and explains the tribes’ positions toward Egypt, Israel and Palestine.

Alawite Community Key
To Syrian Transition

Translated from As-Safir (Lebanon)

The Alawites of Syria must be protected and included in any transition in Syria.

Barzani Presses for Referendum
On Iraqi Kurdistan Constitution Abdel Hamid Zebari
Egypt's Frustrated Democracy:
A Conversation As-Safir (Lebanon)
Erdogan Stumbles On Syria
In Visit to US Taraf (Turkey)
Kuwait Seeks to Deter Tribes
From Supporting Opposition Al-Hayat (Pan Arab)

Al-Monitor Originals

The Israel-Egypt-Hamas
Triangle in the Sinai

Shlomi Eldar for Al-Monitor Israel Pulse

The threat posed by Salafists and other jihadists in the northern Sinai has resulted in Hamas, Egypt and Israel recognizing their mutual interests.

Memo to John Kerry:
'Two-State Solution' Bankrupt Shlomi Eldar
Iran Follows 2012 Election Script
To Avoid 2013 Election Surprise Barbara Slavin
Did Muslim Brotherhood
Frame Salma Sabahi? Ahmed Ateyya
Durrah's Father: My Son Is Dead Hazem Balousha

Culture & Society

Iranian Puppet Show Lampoons Societal Woes

Mehrnaz Samimi for Al-Monitor Iran Pulse

"Red Hat" circumvents restrictions on freedom of speech to critique Iranian government policies that have led to serious economic problems. Read more »

Lod: Israel’s Troubled City
Hoping for Better Days Daniel Ben Simon

The AK Party’s Jihad
Against Alcohol In Turkey Kadri Gursel

Turkey’s Chaldeans Heed Erdogan’s Call for Minorities to Return Taraf (Turkey)

Syriac Monastery in Turkey
Gets New Road Radikal (Turkey)

Business

Turkey Puzzled by US Stance
On Exxon-KRG Oil Deal

Tulin Daloglu for Al-Monitor Turkey Pulse

Ankara questions US concerns over its arrangement with ExxonMobil for energy exploration in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Israeli, Palestinian Business Leaders
Seek to Break Impasse Dalia Hatuqa
Iraq to Simplify Visa Procedures
For Foreign Oil Workers Omar al-Shaher
Six Nautical Miles Not Enough
For Gaza Fishermen Abeer Ayyoub
Former Vice President Slams
Iraq's Economic Policy Omar al-Shaher

Security

Will Tunisia Become
A Base for al-Qaeda?

Translated from Al-Hayat (Pan Arab)

Given the weak security situation, ongoing political crises and increasing Salafist activity, Tunisia could turn into a new base for al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Syrian Minister Defends
'Legitimate Right' to Fire on Israel Haytham Mouzahem
Australian Visit Highlights Syrian Refugee Problem in Lebanon Antoun Issa
Did the Egyptian Government Strike
A Deal With the Kidnappers? As-Safir (Lebanon)
The Limits to Europe's
Pivot to the Gulf Jean-Loup Samaan

Our Photo of the Day

The Visual Pulse of the Middle East
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Next Photo

Middle Eastern artists are being represented well at this year's Venice Biennale, which starts on June 1, 2013. Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and more will have pavilions at the prestigious art fair. Ali Kazma, a video artist, will be representing Turkey with a series exloring the human body.

(Photo: arteeast.tumblr.com)

Columnists

Ben Caspit

Israeli Finance Minister Lapid
On Probation

israel pulse

Mazal Mualem

Israeli Labor Party Plots Comeback

israel pulse

Nasser Chararah

Syria’s Conflict
May Already Be in Lebanon

lebanon pulse

Clovis Maksoud

Kerry Pursues 'Resumed Negotiations'

lebanon pulse

Semih Idiz

Turkey’s Clash of Civilizations

turkey pulse

Mustafa al-Kadhimi

Iraq’s Future Uncertain
Amid Political Turmoil

iraq pulse

The Back Channel

Dispatches from Washington to the Middle East

latest posts	by laura rozen
State RUMINT: Malinowski for State DRL, Sewall for CT or PM
Obama aims to reduce US drone strikes, close Guantanamo Bay
When Iran’s Saeed Jalili met one-on-one with US diplomat Bill Burns

Pulse Map

Videos

Daoud Kuttab reports on how a sandstorm forced US President Barack Obama to see reality in Bethlehem.By: Al-Monitor
Read more and watch »

Iran Pulse

Must Reads from the Iran Press Today

latest post	Arash Karami
Rafsanjani Responds to Disqualification From Presidencial Race

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Palestinian Rappers Spark Debate With New Album

Janne Louise Andersen talks to the band about the controversy over a song about honor crimes, their new sound and a decade of "hip hop Arabi.”
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