Geography has imposed a complex reality on Baghdad, one that has only intensified in recent times. But while geography imposes challenges, it can also present opportunities.

Netanyahu's ability to forge an international coalition of Western and Arab allies to repel Iran's potential retaliation further fuelled his poll recovery

Al-Huss stands out as one of Lebanon's only politicians who was able to break into the political establishment on merit rather than family status

Hopes an end to the fighting could also ease tension with Iran look forlorn. Clashes across Israel's border with Lebanon have worsened, as has the West Bank situation, stoking fear of a wider war.

Many will have breathed a sigh of relief after Sunday's flare-up, with both sides claiming victory and both expressing no desire to escalate. Their rhetoric has left plenty of room for more, however

Israeli leaders do not want its war on Gaza to end, despite there now being little left of Gaza still to pulverise. Meanwhile, Hamas is yet to face up either to its responsibility or to reality

The government's response was decisive and hundreds are now behind bars, but unless it addresses what caused the rioting in the first place, it is likely to recur

Washington wants Iran to have a face-saving reason why not to attack Israel for two 'red line' assassinations, while Iran wants to avoid having to do so. Any lack of progress in the talks is secondary

The Damascus regime knows that it has forever lost the 15 million Syrians who will never again live under Bashar Al-Assad or his ilk. The country has cleaved, just as Korea did a century ago

Major battles on the edge of Europe and in the heart of the Middle East are reaching defining moments, just as America defines how it wants to be governed, but the biggest battle may still be to come

As US aircraft carriers steam towards the Middle East, the White House wants the region's main actors to sit down and agree deals that will end the war in Gaza and end the threat of war in Lebanon

The Taliban takes all girls out of school at the age of 12 while Iraq is planning a legal amendment that rights groups say would legalise child marriage. All in countries 'liberated from colonialism'