After Jordan, Emirates also furious with Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only managed to get into a diplomatic row with Jordan, he also succeeded in angering the Emiratis. Israel
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
Lawsuit filed to close pro-Kurdish party after lawmaker stripped of parliamentary seat Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party deputy known to focus on human rights abuses, was stripped of his parliament seat and a lawsuit was filed to close the party March 17. Turkey
Netanyahu courts Arab voters as 'Abu Yair' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted a new strategy for the Arab public: cynically rebranding himself as "Abu Yair." Israel
New outlook on culture raises Tunisian hopes, fears The Tunisian Ministry of Culture has an increased budget and committed leadership, but some worry it might squeeze civil society's role in the arts. Tunisia
Will Arab-American voters rally around Clinton? Arab-Americans tend to vote Democratic in presidential elections, but will the community coalesce around Hillary Clinton despite the attraction of Bernie Sanders’ views on the Middle East? Palestine
Why Palestinians are tuning into this reality TV show to select the next president A Palestinian reality TV show allows the public and a jury to elect a so-called president of Palestine, which shed light on the need to hold free and fair elections in the Palestinian territories. Palestine
How Muhammad Ali became a hero for Turks Boxing legend Muhammad Ali’s funeral arrangements reveal the deep divisions among Turks on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s international credibility. Turkey
Regional Kurdish party in AKP'S crosshairs The Kurdish Democratic Regions Party, which controls most of the local administrations in the southeast of Turkey, is under intense pressure not only over the self-rule movement in its provinces but as a staunchly democratic counterpoint to the authoritarian trend in Turkish politics. Turkey
Gaza attempts to deal with beggars The Ministry of Social Affairs recently launched a campaign to curb the begging phenomenon quickly spreading in the Gaza Strip, but critics say this is not the solution to the problem that should be resolved at the source. Palestine
Is Lebanon abandoning sectarian politics? The results of municipal elections in Lebanon and the persistence of protesters against government corruption in Iraq may point to a shift in the two countries' traditional sectarian-based politics. Iraq
The education of Israel's new defense minister In the past, Avigdor Liberman was called to use an iron fist against Palestinians in order to curb terror, but as Israel's new defense minister he might change his tone. Palestine
Could Netanyahu-Liberman surprise us? Recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman could indicate readiness for a diplomatic move, but could also be misleading and a play for time. Israel
Will Egypt's Copts get to build more churches? Egypt finalizes the long overdue law governing the construction of churches, while some still hope for a unified law for mosques and churches. Egypt
Netanyahu's two-state bluff Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his willingness to adopt parts of the Arab Peace Initiative, conveniently ignoring the essential parts of Palestinian statehood along the 1967 borderlines. Palestine
What happened to kidnapped Lebanese soldiers in Arsal? A Lebanese official told Al-Monitor that the number of Islamic militants in Arsal is steadily declining, and there is talk of the remainder leaving after negotiations. Lebanon
