Iran's opposition has called for peaceful demonstrations to mark the upcoming anniversary of last year's disputed reelection of President Mahmud Ahmadinejad. But a redoubled crackdown has created an atmosphere of widespread intimidation and dampened hopes of an opposition show of strength.
Turkey's main opposition party is facing a period of turmoil after the resignation of its leader, Deniz Baykal. His resignation initially triggered hopes that the party would embark on a process of modernization and reform. But fears have since grown that Baykal and his allies will attempt to keep a tight grip on the party structure.
It feels like deja vu all over again: months of diplomatic brinkmanship, saber-rattling, and defiant rhetoric leavened by news of a sudden breakthrough and hopes that a long-elusive deal is at last at hand.
With charges filed against military officers accused of trying to topple the Islamist-rooted government, Turkey moves closer to an internal showdown.
