This week in our semi-regular roundup: news from Serbia, Slovakia, El Salvador, Maldives and Algeria.
Category: Middle East
Update on Israeli electoral “reform”
Israel goes ahead with a modified version of its plan to make life harder for Arab parties.
Egyptians vote yes – without much choice
There's no doubt about the result of Egypt's constitutional referendum, since campaigning for a "No" vote was effectively illegal. But the turnout might tell us something about the underlying level of support for the military.
Death of a warmaker
Ariel Sharon ended his active career by apparently repudiating the things he had previously been most known for. Did he really mean it?
The electoral top ten for 2013
A review of the year's most interesting elections and whether they show us any general trends.
Holiday reading on Middle East peace
Just as the Palestinians indicate some new flexibility about the direction of Mid-East peace talks, a study on public opinion shows both sides ready for serious compromise.
It’s a deal!
At last, an Iranian nuclear deal. It looks as if western and Iranian objectives were not as different as some people argued.
Australia and the history wars, Armenian edition
Turkey, as always, resents any official reference to the Armenian genocide. This time it's Australia in the firing line.
Turkey gets more connected
A new rail link in Turkey may have political implications down the track.
Another one for the billionaires
Georgia elects a new president, completing the fall from power of Mikheil Saakashvili's United National Movement and increasing the influence of the country's billionaire prime minister.
The World is Not Enough 