Juan Cole

The End of the ‘Turkish Model’? Erdogan Loses It

The End of the ‘Turkish Model’? Erdogan Loses It

JUAN COLE: He has accomplished much but has been caught in a swirl of corruption allegations and is soundingly increasingly shrill

 Ramzy Baroud

Scratch, Scratch: The Western Itch To Intervene Is Insatiable

Scratch, Scratch: The Western Itch To Intervene Is Insatiable

RAMZY BAROUD: You can be sure that whatever turmoil is happening in the Middle East the hands of the West will be present

 Editor, MEP

Turks Fret Over Possible Syria Action

VIDEO: The Turkish parliament has responded to mortar fire from Syria by backing military action against its neighbour. But many Turks think this is a bad idea.

 Juan Cole

Morsi’s To Do List: Egypt’s ‘Top Five’ Priorities

Morsi’s To Do List: Egypt’s ‘Top Five’ Priorities

JUAN COLE: The economic and social challenges facing Egypt today are immense. With the right approach, however, Muhammad Mursi can make real change happen

 Common Ground News Service

Prizes: Nobel Gets Muslim World Right, Pulitzer Doesn’t

Prizes: Nobel Gets Muslim World Right, Pulitzer Doesn’t

DR MUQTEDAR KHAN, CGNEWS: Whatever you think about prizes they help to define an era. Pulitzer judged wrong this year.

 James M. Dorsey

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

The Rise and Rise of Turkey: Problems Ahead?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Held up as a model of a modern Islamic state Turkey faces some formidable difficulties

 Jonathan Cook

Israel Backs Itself Into Dangerous Cul-De-Sac

Israel Backs Itself Into Dangerous Cul-De-Sac

JONATHAN COOK: 2011 marked the point at which the Palestinians called Israel’s bluff and revealed Oslo to be nothing more than a stalling tactic. What does the upcoming year hold?

 Ramzy Baroud

Turkey Foreign Policy Falls Over Syrian ‘Abyss’

Turkey Foreign Policy Falls Over Syrian ‘Abyss’

RAMZY AL BAROUD: However, the Syrian uprising in March leading the country down the road to civil war – has forced Turkey to abandon its ‘zero-problems’ foreign policy.

 Rob L. Wagner

Unfazed: Israeli Boycott Little Noticed in Turkey

Unfazed: Israeli Boycott Little Noticed in Turkey

ROB L. WAGNER: Shopkeepers easily transition from Turkish to Russian, Polish and German. Yet Hebrew, once among the languages, is virtually non-existent.

 Chris Keeler

Why Israelis Are Spooked by Arab Democracy

Why Israelis Are Spooked by Arab Democracy

CHRIS KEELER: Events have combined around the region to leave Israel feeling very isolated indeed. But many commentators there simply refuse to understand the reasons why they’re in this position.

 James M. Dorsey

Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?

Is Turkey the Role Model for the Arab World?

JAMES M. DORSEY: For the first time in its history, Turkey is emerging as a true bridge between East and West. Unrest elsewhere however puts Turkish aspirations to the test.

 Juan Cole

Top 10 Middle East Challenges for U.S. Policy, 2011

Top 10 Middle East Challenges for U.S. Policy, 2011

JUAN COLE: The Obama administration has been successful in tightening the financial noose on Iran during 2010, but Iran could fight back like a cornered rat…