House panel calls for US to stop recognizing Assad government in Syria The House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved two non-binding resolutions calling on the Obama administration to stop recognizing Bashar al-Assad as president of Syria and to push for the creation of a Syria war crimes tribunal. Syria
Al-Monitor remembers Bassem Sabry Bassem Sabry's colleagues at Al-Monitor reflect on the mark he left across the region. Egypt
Protest in Cairo defies and mocks government ban A few hundred members of the April 6 Movement take to the street in defiance of an Egyptian government ban. Egypt
Erdogan's son files libel suit against opposition leader Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has filed a libel suit against CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Turkey
Iran-Russia energy deals no threat to nuclear talks The priority for Tehran is a comprehensive nuclear agreement with the P5+1 countries, which includes Russia. Russia
Turkish liberals should back Erdogan's message to Armenians Turks should come to terms with the Armenian genocide, recognize the momentous step taken by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and embrace the legacy of the many Turkish officials who saved Armenians from death. Turkey
Turkey's Syria borders an open door for smugglers Guns, people and stolen goods move with surprising ease and regularity over a sensitive border. Syria
Iraqi elections marred by hit squads targeting candidates Amid rising assassination attempts of candidates for today’s Iraqi parliamentary elections, some political blocs are accusing parties in the government of being behind these operations. Iraq
What message is Saudi Arabia sending with war games? Saudi Arabia has just finished its largest war games in recent history, signalling its intent to develop its military capabilities in an increasingly unstable region. Saudi Arabia
Kerry's warning to Israel lost in furor over 'apartheid' Instead of internalizing the warning from US Secretary of State John Kerry about a single-state solution, pro-Israel advocates in the United States and the Israeli right focused instead on his choice of words. Palestine
Iraqi election could lead to partition Iraqi parties across the political spectrum seek to break Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s monopoly on the central government. Iraq
Old beer bottles breathe new life into Lebanon's ancient craft In waste-plagued Lebanon, green initiatives are popping up to promote recycling and reuse material, such as a traditional hand-blown glass shop and an eco-friendly microbrewery. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia puts on show with 'Abdullah's Shield' The kingdom’s largest military exercise ever was a signal to both Washington and Tehran. Gulf
Details emerge on Palestinian Gaza declaration The Palestinian reconciliation deal appears to be moving ahead, with Hamas and Fatah agreeing to return the presidential guards to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. Palestine
Israeli presidential hopeful supports Palestinian deal In an interview with Al-Monitor, Meir Sheetrit supports Hamas-Fatah reconciliation, even though this might not be the most popular stance with the Israeli public for a presidential hopeful. Palestine
Rouhani administration on defensive over house arrests The recent heart troubles of opposition leader Mir Hussein Mousavi has put the Rouhani administration on the defensive over its progress on the continuing house arrests. Iran
