All Middle East
- Will Erdogan's referendum bid be enough to quiet Turkey's furious crowds?
Prime Minister Erdogan has proposed that the fate of Gezi Park be put to a vote, but protesters are deeply skeptical the process will be enough to address underlying problems.
- Iran votes: Why the Supreme Leader is so desperate to bring out voters
Suffering from a legitimacy crisis after the fraud-tainted, heavily protested 2009 vote, Iran feels immense pressure to demonstrate that people have regained faith in their political system.
- Erdogan, protesters circle in eye of Taksim storm
Prime Minister Erdogan and the protesters are plotting their next steps after police overran the Taksim Square demonstration.
- Turkey's faltering economy, not protesters, could bend Erdogan
The Turkish lira has dropped to an 18-month low since protests began. That could undermine Prime Minister Erdogan, whose popularity has been tied to strong economic growth on his watch.
- Tear gas, water cannons end party in Istanbul's Taksim Square
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan drew a distinction between good and bad protesters, promising to speak with the former as police overran Taksim Square.
- Israeli policy pivot strengthens grasp on East Jerusalem
The Israeli government has backed a property law that could enable seizure of up to 40 percent of the Palestinian private property in Jerusalem.
- In Turkey, echoes of US-style clashes over glitzy redevelopment
For the thousands demonstrating in Gezi Park, the project to redevelop it despite public outcry and legal challenges illustrate a government culture of disregard for the rights and wishes of citizens.
- Israel accelerates cybersecurity know-how as early as 10th grade
Israel is strengthening cybersecurity recruitment and cooperation between hi-tech, academia, and the military as threats rise.
- Stalled nuclear talks fuel sharp exchange at Iran's final presidential debate
At a fiery final debate before June 14 elections, Saeed Jalili, Iran's top nuclear negotiator and a leading candidate, was challenged over 'missed opportunities.'
- As Syrian refugee flood escalates, UN asks record $5.1 billion in aid
Help is needed as Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey may host up to 3.5 million refugees by year's end, say UN officials.
- Opposition in Turkey flounders in efforts to dislodge Erdogan
Protesters face an uphill struggle to erode Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s power base as opposition parties remain fragmented.
- Across Arab world, mixed feelings about Turkey's Erdogan
Protests in Turkey are stirring debate in some Arab countries about the compatibility of Islam and democracy.
- FocusTurkey's protests reveal conflicting visions of society
The ongoing clashes in Istanbul's Taksim Square have exposed the fault lines running between those want to protect secular values and those who want to introduce more Islam into public life.
- FocusTurkey's tumultuous week does little to rattle 'bulldozer' Erdogan
Prime Minister Erdogan decried antigovernment protesters as 'vagabonds' and 'extremists.' Critics acknowledge his success in driving Turkey's spectacular growth, but say he has become autocratic.
- Israel sees prestigious academic prize as tool to engage increasingly hostile academic world
The Dan David Prize has been awarded to some of those in the top echelons of academia, a community that includes many backers of the movement to isolate Israel for its occupation.
- Last American NGO worker in Egypt takes flight to avoid prison
Robert Becker was the lone US employee to remain when Egypt raided NGO offices last year. Even he is gone now, leaving a civil society vacuum.
- Hezbollah marks major triumph as Qusayr tips back into Assad camp
Rebels abandoned the strategic city of Qusayr on Wednesday in a significant victory for Syria's Assad regime and a psychological blow to opposition forces.
- Pinned under government's thumb, Turkish media covers penguins, not protests
The protests throughout Turkey have brought issues of media self-censorship, government control, and ownership by large conglomerates to the fore, disgusting many Turks.
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