Deal needed in Greece, nonviolent strategy for Palestinians, foreign investors in Africa, security for Egypt, Turkish elections

The Irish Times / Dublin, Ireland
Time to strike a deal in Greece
“It looks like negotiations between Greece and its creditors ... are finally coming to a crunch...,” states an editorial. “There is much to criticise in the previous bailout agreements, particularly the failure to take a realistic approach to Greece’s debts.... Some of the current difficulties could have been avoided if a more realistic plan had been agreed [on] at that time.... All sides must realise by now that some restructuring of Greece’s debts to official creditors will, at some stage, have to happen.... [T]his is only likely to come on the table if Greece puts forward a credible reform plan.... Some way must be found to restore the trust needed to come to a deal.” 

Al-Arabiya / Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Palestinians need a unified nonviolent strategy
“For the first time in 48 years, Palestinians are playing on a much more level playing field. By strategically moving into the non-violent field, Palestinians are in a much stronger position to make an impact...,” writes Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab. “The challenge, however, is how to bridge the gap that exists between activists ... and the Palestinian leadership.... While there is little in the form of formal cooperation between BDS [boycott, divestment, and sanctions] activists and the [Palestine Liberation Organization], it is imperative that a minimum level of cooperation exist that can help strengthen the non-violent activities and translate these efforts into tangible gains. A national non-violent strategy is now badly needed and the sooner one is agreed on and enforced the sooner the occupation will be over.” 

Business Day / Johannesburg, South Africa
Foreign investors won’t stay around
“Global investors don’t marry emerging markets, they date us...,” writes Mark Barnes. “They want the returns, but aren’t that keen to hang around for the risks.... Terrified of deflation, central banks have started sowing the seeds for rate hikes, back home in the developed economies.... [South Africa] is looking at 1.3% growth in GDP and the average world growth outlook is now mediocre. If the big guys stop importing that means that we stop exporting and, to compound the problem, financing those trade deficits is about to get a whole lot more expensive.... As the real GDP growth rates of the emerging and developed markets converge, intersect, or cross, it becomes obvious which way the capital is going to flow: it’s going to flow out of emerging markets, back into the developed world. Those charming investor visitors are going home.” 

Daily News Egypt / Cairo
Egypt shouldn’t rely on US for security
“The question is whether the leaders of the [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries should rightly feel secure from Iranian aggression now that the US President has promised to come to their defence, militarily if deemed necessary...,” writes Khalaf Al-Habtoor. “Without a signed and sealed security pact ... [a]re we seriously to believe that the US would declare war on Iran were we to be menaced?... Yemen proves that we are able and willing to protect ourselves and our allies and when the proposed Joint Arab Force comes into play, our capabilities will be strengthened. We have no need of guardians or bosses in foreign capitals.” 

The Daily Star / Beirut, Lebanon 
Turkish election important for whole region
“After over a decade at the top the [Justice and Development] Party in Turkey is being forced into a period of self-reflection, having lost their parliamentary majority for the first time since 2002...,” states an editorial. “The victory of the Kurdish [Peoples’ Democratic Party] ... could have serious ramifications, not just in Turkey itself, but for the feasibility of any future Kurdish state. With more minority parties now having gained representation in parliament, it is likely that the chaos across the cities of Turkey over recent years may now abate. This may allow a coalition government to usher in a new period of development and growth – and to formulate policies necessary for protecting against new security threats.”