With the US having admitted it is unable to force Israel to take peace talks seriously, Palestinians are looking to other routes for securing their national rights, writes Khaled Amayreh in Ramallah

The failure to extract even a partial Israeli settlement freeze was humiliating for Barack Obama but disastrous for Mahmoud Abbas and his Arab allies, writes Graham Usher

Despite relentless evidence that Israeli society is racist to the core, the world outside keeps silent, writes Saleh Al-Naami

The movement to isolate Israel through boycott, divestment and sanctions resonates from Canada to the Indo-Pakistani border, notes Eric Walberg

Talks between the Syrian and French presidents this week focussed on Lebanon, with Syria asking for French diplomatic support at the UN, writes Bassel Oudat in Damascus

There are low expectations in Syria about the ruling Baath Party's next convention, slated for the beginning of next year, writes Bassel Oudat in Damascus

Two moves by the government in less than a week show what Kuwaiti democracy is all about, reports Sherine Bahaa

As the break-up of Sudan looms, visions of postpartum depression are taking hold, says Asmaa El-Husseini

Rows over the composition and powers of the country's proposed policy-making council have further delayed the formation of a new government, writes Salah Hemeid

As the Muslim month of Muharram begins, Iranians are commemorating the martyrdom of Al-Hussein, writes Amani Maged