

While it is a positive development that a functional, democratic and pragmatic country like Turkey is playing a larger role in the Arab and Islamic world, it could also mean the beginning of a new round of confrontations if no progress is made in the Arab-Israeli peace process.

Without dramatic improvement in the Arab world at all educational levels, unemployment, illiteracy, and income inequality will continue to worsen, and the region will remain a danger to itself and its neighbors.

Western governments must make educational aid a priority or they risk allowing extremist madrasas to win the hearts and minds of the Arab world.

While Barack Obama has re-launched Israeli-Palestinian talks and begun negotiations with Iran, the Arab world has remained virtually absent.

Iraq faces a combination of security, political and economic challenges. While most Iraqis want security, good governance, and development, the politics of Iraq seem to be dragging the country down the familiar path of internal division and political paralysis. Steps need to be taken, both regionally and internationally, to address the problems threatening Iraq’s future.

The Fatah Congress has given Abu Mazen and Fatah a much-needed shot in the arm, and conferred new legitimacy on the peace option among Palestinians.

A unity government has been formed in Lebanon following the electoral defeat of the Hezbollah-led coalition in June. However, in order to stabilize the fragile country, the new government must succeed in instituting economic, political, and security reforms.

The announcement by Druze leader and Socialist party head Walid Jumblatt that he would be leaving the March 14 coalition has reshuffled the political deck in Lebanon and put the government formation process on hold.

Lebanon’s voters have handed a clear defeat to the Hezbollah-led March 8 alliance. In a smoothly run and peaceful election, the pro-Western March 14 alliance emerged with a clear majority of 71 seats, compared to 58 seats for its rivals.

On June 7, Lebanon chooses between the incumbents and the Islamists - but only a grand coalition government makes sense.