All Middle East
At stake in Afghan vote: presidential vision, and legitimacyTo confront an advancing Taliban, the next Afghan president will need to be seen as legitimate. Voter turnout and the appearance of fairness are key.
What the Taliban are telling themselves about war and peaceInternal Taliban messaging raises serious questions about whether the negotiations about a U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan can be successful.
First LookUN envoy: Constitutional committee first step to peace in SyriaSyria’s U.N. envoy called the agreement to establish a committee to draft a new constitution for Syria “a door opener” to U.N.-supervised elections.
After attack on refinery, Saudis souring on go-it-alone postureMultilateralism may be out of vogue, but after the refinery attack the Saudis are contemplating the downside of an overreliance on individual allies.
First LookHistoric first: Arab parties endorse Gantz for prime ministerIsrael's Arab parties reluctantly broke with tradition and backed a candidate for prime minster, former Israeli military chief Benny Gantz.
Attack on Saudi oil fields: Mapping a broader viewThe Saudi oil fields strike claimed by Shiite Houthis is best understood as part of a conflict with Iran involving actors across the region.
First LookIsraeli vote leans centrist; Netanyahu's future in doubtWith left-right divide largely preserved, a secular party opposed to an ultra-Orthodox role in government is poised to play the role of kingmaker.
Who will win in Israel Tuesday? Meet the unlikely kingmaker.The separation of religion and state has never been sorted out in Israel. Now a born-again secularist champion could swing a tight election.
First LookTensions, and oil prices, rise after attack on Saudi oil fieldsU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iran for the attack on Saudi Arabia and released satellite photos of 19 impact points at oil facilities.
Amid rubble in Kabul, fatigue with ‘talking while fighting’In Afghanistan, with U.S.-Taliban talks halted, there’s a consensus among Afghans: “The first law of peace is a cease-fire.”
The Islamist who would be presidentProfile in contradictions: In Tunisia, a nation with a strong secular tradition, an Islamist is a leading candidate for president.
Tired of TV debates? In Arab world, they’re historic, and inspiring.A three-day series of TV debates between Tunisian presidential candidates made history in the Arab world. A Monitor correspondent was present.
First LookIran urges US to 'put warmongers aside'Iranian news coverage of John Bolton's dismissal suggests the former national security adviser could be a scapegoat for tensions with the U.S.
Is Israel ready for an Arab party to join a coalition government?Despite the fear-mongering and polarization accompanying upcoming elections in Israel, new ideas for progress are being broached.
Crash course in democracy: 26 candidates, 2 weeksTunisia, one of the world’s youngest democracies, is electing a president in a lightning campaign that’s emphasizing policy over partisanship.
First LookAfghanistan talks near an end, but Taliban attacks continueA U.S. envoy says an Afghanistan peace deal is just a presidential signature away from final approval, even as the Taliban ramps up attacks.
Why Iran and Israel are crossing each other’s red linesOutside pressure from the U.S. that upset the tense Israel-Iran equilibrium could explain why the enemies are increasing the pressure on each other.
First LookFracturing coalition, Yemeni government blames UAE for attackYemen's government accused the United Arab Emirates of an airstrike on its troops, which may spell the end of a fragile coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
What debate over modern education tells us about a divided TurkeyThe internal dispute over Turkey’s national identity explains the broad criticism of a new wave of educational reforms.
First LookIsrael attacks drones in Syria: A pattern of U.S.-Iran tensionsIsraeli fighter jets attack targets in Syria on an almost weekly basis, including on Saturday night, to thwart a planned Iranian drone strike.
