Middle East politics

Turkish foreign policy: The great mediator

Sometimes Turkey really is a bridge between west and east(512)

The Israel-Palestine peace process: Talk of talks

Negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians are proving hard to revive(157)

Bombing Iran: Why Israel is obsessed with Iran

It's easier than doing something about the Palestinians(58)

Palestine's Jerusalem MPs: Just get out

The Israeli authorities try to expel Hamas’s MPs from East Jerusalem(31)

Palestinian democracy: Under threat from all sides

Democracy is flagging in both the Palestinian territories(182)

The UN and Israel: Sailing forward

Israel feels more wanted on the East River—but can it make up with Turkey?(22)

Politics this week

America and Iran: Barack Obama's plan for Iran

America puts the squeeze in Iran(66)

Israel and Lebanon: Peace pruned

Brazil's relationship with Iran: Payback time

BRAZIL’S president infuriated both Western governments and domestic conservatives in June, when he helped broker a deal with Iran to send some of its low-enriched uranium to Turkey. Now, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seems to be trying to show that having the ear of Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, his counterpart in Tehran, can bring unforeseen benefits. During a campaign stop on August 31st for his preferred candidate in October’s presidential election, Lula unexpectedly offered asylum to Sakineh Ashtiani, an Iranian woman who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. Only last Wednesday, he had said he could not get involved in the matter, since Ms Ashtiani had broken Iran’s laws. But according to a close adviser, after reflecting on her plight, Lula had a change of heart. “I must respect a country’s laws, but for the sake of the friendship and affection that I have for the president of Iran, and the Iranian people, if this woman is causing difficulties, we will receive her in Brazil,” he said.(33)

Iran's cross merchants: The bazaar strikes back

Iran’s muttering merchants(3)

Turkey and its rebel Kurds: An endless war

Turkey’s long-running battle with Kurdish separatists is intensifying, again(427)

Afghanistan's prospects: The great endgame

As the bigwigs hold forth in Kabul, Afghanistan’s future still looks uncertain(24)

Israel's foreign minister: Might Avigdor Lieberman go?

Strains between the prime and foreign ministers could reshape the coalition(122)

The Kabul conference: What cannot be said in five minutes

Smiling bureaucrats in Afghanistan. All is not well(36)

Political rhetoric: Best line of the day

Arab autocracy: Thank you and goodbye

For good or ill, change is coming to Egypt and Saudi Arabia soon(141)

The Saudi succession: When kings and princes grow old

Brother follows brother as Saudi Arabia’s absolute monarch. And so it may well continue, but watch for the tensions within that very large royal family(22)

A special report on Egypt: The best man always wins

How Egypt’s government perpetuates itself(3)

A special report on Egypt: After Mubarak

Change is bound to come, but when?(2)

A special report on Egypt: America's lieutenant

But Egypt’s role as a regional peacekeeper is getting harder to sustain(7)

America in the Middle East: Choose the right pals, for a change

Turkey and Iran should be America’s partners(11)

Iran's nuclear programme: The disappearing scientist

Has the CIA lost an Iranian nuclear scientist? Or is a swap in the works?(29)

Palestine and Israel: Hamas thinks time is on its side

As indirect talks between Israel and the more moderate Palestinians falter, Hamas sends signals that it wants to join the diplomatic fray—but on its own terms(122)

Politics this week