Alon Ben-Meir

Even before the failed military coup, Turkey’s President Erdogan governed like a dictator who had the last word on all state matters.

The forced resignation of Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suggests only one thing—President Erdogan, who is totally absorbed by his lust for power, will tolerate no one in his government to deviate from any of his political positions. Prime Minister Davutoglu was no exception.

A question often raised is: are leaders a reflection of their time, or are they individuals who rise to answer the call of the hour?

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was once at the front and center of the Arab world and a significant player on the global stage due to its oil riches, has been steadily losing its regional influence and prominent role.

The horrific attacks in Brussels by terrorists affiliated with ISIS that claimed the lives of 35 people and injured more than 300 was all but inevitable.

There is little else more injurious to any democracy than closing down news outlets and choking off freedom of speech.

The timely implementation of the Iran deal and Tehran’s full compliance with its various provisions to date should not be viewed as just an accomplished goal, but as a continuing process that could take several years to determine its viability and the extent to which it impacts Iran’s foreign and domestic policy.

The Saudi decision to execute Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr at this particular juncture was a strategic act of defiance meant to challenge Iran and the United States in particular.

The upheaval sweeping the Middle East suggests that it will be extraordinarily difficult if not impossible to resume the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and reach a successful outcome.

Even before the failed military coup, Turkey’s President Erdogan governed like a dictator who had the last word on all state matters.

The forced resignation of Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu suggests only one thing—President Erdogan, who is totally absorbed by his lust for power, will tolerate no one in his government to deviate from any of his political positions. Prime Minister Davutoglu was no exception.

A question often raised is: are leaders a reflection of their time, or are they individuals who rise to answer the call of the hour?

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was once at the front and center of the Arab world and a significant player on the global stage due to its oil riches, has been steadily losing its regional influence and prominent role.

The horrific attacks in Brussels by terrorists affiliated with ISIS that claimed the lives of 35 people and injured more than 300 was all but inevitable.

There is little else more injurious to any democracy than closing down news outlets and choking off freedom of speech.

The timely implementation of the Iran deal and Tehran’s full compliance with its various provisions to date should not be viewed as just an accomplished goal, but as a continuing process that could take several years to determine its viability and the extent to which it impacts Iran’s foreign and domestic policy.

The Saudi decision to execute Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr at this particular juncture was a strategic act of defiance meant to challenge Iran and the United States in particular.

The upheaval sweeping the Middle East suggests that it will be extraordinarily difficult if not impossible to resume the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and reach a successful outcome.