Opinion

Oman and Iran have seized the diplomatic initiative to reopen the Hormuz Strait, holding bilateral talks to this end

Until Arab states reclaim authority over decisions of war and peace, and dissolve militias that operate outside state authority, tensions will remain

Regional states have come to the realisation that fighting 'axis' members individually will have little effect, and any tactical success will likely be short-lived

Jordanians are largely unaware of the nature, scale, and implications of reform as serious political, economic, and administrative changes unfold

The Japanese communist revolutionary jailed for a terrorist attack in Israel in the 1970s has died half a century later, and decades after the path of violence fell from favour

Last year, the US president chastised Ukraine's president in the White House, then bombed Iran with Israel. Today, he is giving Ukraine Patriot licences and giving Israel the cold shoulder

Putting Hezbollah's weapons out of action for good will require more than just statements, but if those involved in talks can get the formula right, there is every hope of turning a corner

When Israelis go to the polls in October, it is not just the direction of their country that they could determine. World leaders as far away as Washington will be watching

Grievances in Syria's far north-east threaten to tear the region apart and ignite a fire that could spread much further. The central government can still get on top of this, but it must act fast

Iran's militia in Yemen is trying to escape the blame for its internal crises by invoking a siege that simply does not exist, but by attacking Saudi interests, it is crossing a red line.

Political Islam is considered poisonous across much of the Middle East, yet its Jewish equivalent is in the ascendency in Israel, which goes to the polls in October.

When the head of the army and the young minister revolutionising Ukraine's warfighting fell out, the president sacked the latter. When it proved unpopular, he sacked his top general too. Will it work?