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6/13/2014 2014 Year in Review

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2014 Year in ReviewAl-Monitor's Year in Review Al-Monitor's Year in Review highlights the events andtrends that have shaped the Middle East in 2014.

Gul calls for reset of Turkey’s Syria policy01/07/2014

Turkey Pulse columnist Semih Idiz reported that President Abdullah Gul hadbroken with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his Syria policy.

Turkey's policy in Syria has been in the news after a truck allegedly carrying weapons toSyrian rebels [disappeared from the hands of local authorities.](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/01/vanished-turkish-truck-state-secret.html)

Terrorism key for Russia at Geneva II01/12/2014

Vitaly Naumkin wrote that success in the talks required cooperation betweenRussia and the United States, and a special focus on terrorism.

Fellow Russia Mideast contributor Fyodor Lukyanov reported that Russia sawengagement with Iran on the Syrian conflict as [vital to a solution for the Iranian nuclearissue](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/01/geneva-ii-russia-syria-diplomacy.html).

Zarif's Lebanon trip a signal to Saudi Arabia01/17/2014

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif's visit to Lebanon allowed theformation of a Lebanese unity government.

Al-Monitor at Geneva II01/23/2014

Al-Monitor's Editor-in-Chief Andrew Parasiliti followed negotiations betweenthe Syrian government and the opposition in Geneva.

Read takes on humanitarian issues, terrorism and the future of Syria in interviews withprominent opposition figure [Michel Kilo](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/01/michel-kilo-syria-opposition-regime-terrorists-isis.html), Syrian Foreign Minister [Walid Moallem](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/01/syria-geneva-ii-foreign-minister-moallem.html), andQatari Foreign Minister [Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/01/qatar-geneva-ii-syria-opposition-iran.html).



Al-Qaeda poses front line threat to Israel01/31/2014

With instability in Syria, Lebanon and Egypt, Bruce Riedel argued that Israelhas found itself in the crosshairs of a reinvigorated al-Qaeda.

Trendlines: Syria after Geneva II02/12/2014

The first web special by Al-Monitor and PBS NewsHour hosted by Margaret Warner discussedthe future of the Syrian conflict after the Geneva II talks.

The special featured Turkey Pulse columnist Semih Idiz, Palestine Pulse columnist Daoud Kuttab andRussia Mideast columnist Vitaly Naumkin, as well as experts from the United States.

Top women journalists on front lines02/21/2014

Al-Monitor profiled sixteen female journalists providing in-depth coverage andanalysis of the Middle East.

Syrian children war’s most tragic victims02/25/2014

Loss and suffering have become common place for a generation of Syrianchildren, reported Brenda Stoter for Syria Pulse.

Al-Monitor named IPI Free Media Pioneer02/26/2014

The International Press Institute recognized Al-Monitor for its commitment toindependent news and support of press freedom.

Corruption probe in Turkey implicates Erdogan02/27/2014

Tapes that surfaced of conversations between the prime minister and his sonindicated massive potential corruption. Erdogan disavowed them as fakes.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar divided03/07/2014

GCC countries recalled their ambassadors to Qatar, exposing tensions



between two countries jockeying for regional supremacy.

Congress Pulse launch03/10/2014

Julian Pecquet joined Al-Monitor, providing expanded coverage of Congressand the Middle East.

Trendlines: Ukraine and the Middle East03/12/2014

The second web special by Al-Monitor and PBS NewsHour examined the blowback of theUkraine crisis on the Middle East.

The special featured Israel Pulse columnist Ben Caspit and Iran Pulse contributor Nasser Hadian, as wellas experts from the United States.

After Russia moved to annex Crimea, Paul Saunders argued that regardless of the US response in EasternEurope, Russia would maintain [influence over outcomes in Syria and Iran](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/russia-ukraine-crimea-middle-east.html).

Sunnis fighting Sunnis in Aleppo03/14/2014

Syria Pulse columnist Edward Dark reported that pro-regime Sunni militias inAleppo are fighting Sunni rebels, defying sectarian narratives.

Gulf Pulse launch03/18/2014

Al-Monitor expanded to include a new portal featuring prominent writers andanalysts from the Gulf states.

Lebanese factions seek unity against terror threat03/19/2014

Lebanon's newly formed government may be in a better position to stop thespread of terrorism from Syria, argued Lebanon Pulse columnist Jean Aziz.

Erdogan shuts down Twitter



03/21/2014

The move by the prime minister to ban Twitter was followed by the banning ofYouTube in the latest threat to free speech in Turkey.

Al-Monitor's Henri Barkey wrote that Erdogan's clamping down on social media [echoedRay Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451"](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/turkey-social-media-ban-fahrenheit-451.html).

Russia Mideast launch03/27/2014

Al-Monitor launched Russia Mideast, featuring in-depth analysis and reportingon Russia's role in Syria and the region at large.

Paul Saunders wrote that Moscow is unlikely to stall the P5+1 negotiations with Iran,[unless the crisis over Ukraine escalates](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/russia-iran-no-retaliation-talks-sanctions.html).

AKP triumphs in municipal elections04/02/2014

Despite leaked tapes and corruption allegations, the ruling AKP succeeded inmunicipal elections, emboldening Erdogan for a presidential run.

Mustafa Akyol sought to explain [why Erdogan keeps winning](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/why-erdogan-keeps-winning.html).

The victory raises [questions for incumbent Abdullah Gul](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/erdogan-gul-discuss-presidential-elections.html):Will he side with Erdogan if he runs for president and run for prime Minister, or will therebe conflict about the direction of the AKP?

Leading up to the election, Turkey’s main opposition leader, Kemal Kilicdaroglu of theRepublican People’s Party, charged that Erdogan was bent on provoking war with Syriato [divert attention from government corruption](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/turkish-opposition-says-erdogan-wants-syria-war.html).

Lebanon's new pulse04/10/2014

In the shadow of a civil war, there are signs that Lebanon may be discovering anew social contract.

Challenged by violence resulting from the ongoing conflict in Syria and [beset byeconomic woes](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/lebanon-rank-salary-schedule-avoid-reforms-economy.html), Lebanon could reach a "presidential deal" in thenear future. After [Hezbollah’s announcement](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2014/04/hezbollah-interview-lebanon-president-elections-candidate.html) that it had decided on a nominee, Jean Aziz reported that an agreementbetween the various factions would [depend on Tehran and Riyadh](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/lebanon-presidential-vacuum-regional-powers.html).



Al-Monitor accepts Free Media Pioneer Award in Cape Town04/15/2014

A delegation of Al-Monitor contributors and columnists accepted the award atthe International Press Institute's World Congress in Cape Town.

Hamas and Fatah reach reconciliation agreement04/23/2014

Hamas leaders backed a reconciliation deal with Fatah, hoping it will end theirisolation and Gaza’s crippling siege.

The reconciliation agreement provoked an immediate response from US lawmakers,with a number in Congress calling for a suspension of US aid to Palestinians, [JulianPecquet reported from Capitol Hill](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/suspend-aid-reconciliation-hamas-fatah-congress.html).

In Israel, initial surprise about the agreement was tempered by skepticism fromintelligence sources, Ben Caspit reported, while arguing that Israel should [givePalestinian reconciliation a chance](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/04/hamas-fatah-reconciliation-unification-israel-give-chance.html).

Egypt's elections may still surprise04/26/2014

Though the outcome of the elections seems settled, there could be surprises instore from the campaigns of Hamdeen Sabahi and Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Unlike the 2012 presidential elections, which [showcased a diverse selection ofcandidates](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/05/egypt-2012-presidential-elections-sisi-morsi-sabahi-moussa.html) from across Egypt’s political spectrum, the fieldhas narrowed in 2014.

Former US diplomat warns of possible 'grave mistake' in Syria05/01/2014

Ryan Crocker, former US ambassador to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, spoke to aDC audience about the dangers of military intervention and regime change inSyria.

Francesca Borri reports from the field that rebel fighters in Aleppo are looking to Homsas a [potential model for a cease-fire to end the war in their city](http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/05/syria-aleppo-rebels-fighters-war-civilians-ceasefire.html).



Hamas not giving up military wing05/02/2014

Hamas figures have stated that dissolving the brigades is out of the question,creating a potential stumbling block for the new unity government.

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Al-Monitor's Year in Review Al-Monitor's Year in Review ...backchannel.al-monitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/... · 6/13/2014 2014 Year in Review 4/6 03/21/2014 The move by the prime