Turkey a 'political war zone' on eve of elections

Turkey's leaders look to Syria as a distraction from the latest domestic political crisis; the US Congress considers new sanctions on Hezbollah; Al-Monitor expands coverage of Russia and the Middle East.

Syria

Tourism is Lebanon’s biggest missed opportunity

A new report highlights the wasted potential of the tourism sector in Lebanon.

Lebanon

Archive Upfront

from Mar 27, 2014

Syrian Kurds, rebels find common enemy in ISIS

Bitter enemies less than a year ago, the Kurdish Democratic Union Party and the Free Syrian Army are cooperating to fight the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.

Syria

ISIS emerges as threat to Turkey

Most Turks would prefer that Ankara step back from its current Syria policies and distance itself from any support for jihadist groups.

Syria

Was shoot down of Syrian plane linked to Turkish elections?

Is it possible to disentangle the shooting down of a Syrian plane on March 23 from the Turkish local elections on March 30?

Syria

Iraqi Shiite militants return from Syria, aggravating security crisis

Some Iraqis now worry that Shiite militants who are fighting alongside the regime in Syria will eventually return to Iraq once the Syrian crisis is over, a situation some fear might aggravate the security situation in Iraq.

Iraq

Syria’s victory in Yabrud may be game changer

At least for now, the recapture of Yabrud by Syrian government forces appears to have tilted the military and political balance in favor of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Israel

Turkey shoots down Syrian plane as elections heat up

Turkey's political opposition warns Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan that "a thief cannot be a hero."

Syria

The war on Twitter, the blowback from Ukraine

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan follows through on his threat to shut down Twitter, as Saudi Arabia and Qatar also crack down on social media; US-Russia collaboration on Syria and Iran is so far holding on, despite tensions over Ukraine.

Legacy: Gulf

Look for more assertive Russia in Middle East

Unless there is a de-escalation of the crisis over Crimea, the Obama administration could expect to deal with a Russian president more willing to challenge US interests in the Middle East.

Palestine

Lebanese factions seek unity against terrorism threat

After the new Lebanese government secures parliament’s official blessing, it may have the political cover to act militarily to address troubling security problems.

Lebanon

Israel sets new red lines with Syria

The Israeli government prefers that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces keep the Golan quiet, while making clear it will not tolerate any game-changing weapons transfers to Hezbollah.

Israel