Analysis A New Front in Yemen’s Civil War Might End Up Bolstering Iran
New alliances between rebels in Yemen means Saudi Arabia could dangerously clash with the UAE, possibly resulting in the rebirth of a South Yemen
Zvi Bar'el
Zvi Bar'el is the Middle Eastern affairs analyst for Haaretz Newspaper. He is a columnist and a member of the editorial board. Previously he has been the managing editor of the newspaper, the correspondent in Washington and has also covered the Occupied Territories.
Bar'el has been with Haaretz since 1982, and has written extensively on the Arab and Islamic world. In 2009, he was awarded the Sokolov prize for lifetime achievement in print journalism.
Bar'el has a Ph.D in the History of the Middle East. He teaches at Sapir Academic College and is a research fellow at the Truman Institute at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as at the Center for Iranian Studies.
Analysis The Industry Behind This Muslim Holiday Sinks Millions Into Debt
While ordinary Muslims will go into deep debt for Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, some – like the Saudi government and Chinese manufacturers – enjoy a windfall
Analysis Iran Finds Innovative Ways Around Obstacles, From Sports to Sanctions
And Trump also seems to take a page out of Iranian athletes' book
Analysis As U.S. and Turkey Argue Over Idlib, Syria's Wild South Reawakens
Despite the cease-fire announced a year ago, violence in Daraa province has resumed. The clashes may provide Israel a new front
Analysis Egypt Praised for Economic Reforms, but Millions of Egyptians Barely Survive
While IMF dishes out compliments, more than a third of Egypt's population lives on less than $2 a day
Analysis Syria's Idlib: The Hot Potato the U.S., Russia and Turkey Are Fighting Over
Until foreign powers finish their arm-twisting competition, civilians will continue to be killed and displaced in droves
Analysis Faced With U.S. Threats, Iran Warms Up to Arab Neighbors – Even Riyadh
Trump has an opportunity for a far better 'Deal of the Century'
Secret Partner? Behind Iraq's Silence on Alleged Israeli Strikes on Iranian Targets
Silence following attacks leaves room for speculation about Baghdad's relations with Israel. But larger questions of Iraq's dependency on both the U.S. and Iran remain
Analysis In Saudi Arabia, Women's Rights Are Used to Sweep Murder Under the Rug
Mohammed bin Salman decided to allow women to travel abroad without the permission of a male guardian to polish his image with the West. But how will the new law really affect the kingdom’s harsh and patriarchal customs?
Analysis 'They Bite the Hand That Feeds Them': In Turkey and Lebanon, Syrian Refugees Met With Growing Hostility
While Erdogan boasts of Syrian refugees’ successful integration in his country, Turks are calling to deport them back to Syria
Analysis U.S. Sanctions May Cripple Iran, but It's Not Why Billions of Dollars Keep Vanishing
A special anti-corruption court has tried more than 270 suspects, but that’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the extent of the problem
Analysis In Lebanon, Love Songs Bring Out Religious Demons
The latest campaign by Christian leaders to prevent festival appearance of indie rock outfit Mashrou' Leila highlights the fragility of the 'Lebanese idea'
A Shadow Hangs Over Lebanon, and It's Not the Economy, Politics or War
The 'You Stink' protest may have faded, but piles of trash, littered beaches and neglect of international environmental standards remain, spelling disaster for Lebanon
Analysis Erdogan Faces Growing Threat From Within His Own Party
Dozens of senior members of the president's AKP party may join disgruntled politicians and set up a new party. And he is already on the attack
Analysis U.S.-Iran Escalation on Verge of Turning Into Real Slugfest
Neither Washington nor Tehran is in a rush to arm its warplanes, but the risk that this tug of war becomes an exchange of military blows has become more real
As Egypt Struggles, Its Education System Struggles Even More
In a key international index last year, Egypt came in next to last ahead of Yemen. College graduates aren’t getting jobs, and funding is going elsewhere
Analysis Trump the Punisher: How Russian Missiles Shot Down Turkey's F-35 Jets
Not only Erdogan has lost one of his props in the fight for regional dominance, but the United States will also have to find a new crutch to lean on in the Middle East
Analysis Turkey's Gas Drilling Off Cyprus Coast Could Send Shock Waves Across the Mediterranean
In drilling for gas off the coast of Cyprus, Erdogan is shrugging off Western sanctions, while his supporters imply it’s all a Jewish plot
Egypt's Most Expensive Film Ever Shows Nationalism Is Always on the Agenda
This year’s blockbuster ‘The Passage’ makes evident that despite political shifts, the line of defense of the country’s artists and intellectuals hasn’t changed
Analysis In Missile Deal With Russia, Turkey Shows There’s No Need to Fear the United States
If Washington doesn’t impose sanctions on Ankara, it will be seen as a paper tiger and Europe will receive further justification for avoiding sanctions on Iran
Why Saudi Arabia and UAE Bicker as Yemen Is Torn to Pieces
The strained relations between the coalition members leave little hope for a political solution, foiling the U.S.-Saudi goal of defeating Iran’s Houthi partners
Analysis The Land of Opportunity: Who Gains the Most Out of Syria's Civil War?
How economy transformed by conflict creates new elites
Opinion Israel’s Former Army Chiefs Not Hitting the Target in Politics
The question that Israelis now have to ask themselves is whether they would want Gantz, Barak or Ya’alon as chief of staff after seeing their abilities in civilian life
Analysis Iran Still Has Room to Maneuver, but Trump Is Running Out of Diplomatic Options
Rohani's move in violation of the nuclear deal may indicate Tehran is ready for a new formula, but the true question is whether Washington is willing to change tack