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
Is new defense minister dangerous for Israel? Some in the Israeli military are panicked over Avigdor Liberman heading the Defense Ministry, but despite his tempestuous reputation, Liberman is neither stupid nor crazy. Palestine
How Ankara and the PKK misread civilians’ reactions to ongoing violence As Kurdistan Workers Party violence intensifies in Turkey's cities, civilian Kurds are paying the price. Turkey
Turkey's female journalists now risk parental rights for critical reporting A Turkish female journalist has been stripped of her parental rights in an unprecedented court ruling that marks a new milestone in the suppression campaign against critical media. Turkey
Ouster of Kurdish MPs threatens to fuel separatism in Turkey Turkish parliament members have stripped themselves of immunity in a move designed to expel Kurdish lawmakers, but pushing the Kurdish struggle out of the political arena may end up fueling violent opposition instead. Turkey
Is it time to tame Iran's lawless publishing sector? Iranians are debating whether to join the international Berne Convention on copyright, with advocates arguing that signing on will bring legitimacy to Iranian publishing and detractors fearing copyright enforcement will only benefit the corrupt and powerful. Iran
US should accept Russian offer to coordinate strikes on Jabhat al-Nusra US-Russian joint action would be a step forward to defeat al-Qaeda affiliate; US rejects Russian bid to designate Ahrar al-Sham and Jaish al-Islam as terrorist groups; Nasrallah vows deeper commitment to Syria following death of top commander. Lebanon
Egyptian Brotherhood leader reflects on group's mistakes, future In an extensive interview with Al-Monitor, Egyptian Brotherhood leader and former minister of planning and international cooperation Amr Darrag speaks about the challenges the group has faced in the past, the reassessments it has undergone and its vision for the future. Legacy: Gulf
US election 2016: Can Democrats and Republicans unite around their chosen candidates? Here's what happened on the campaign trail the week of May 16. Congress
How Leonardo DiCaprio became unlikely champion in Iran Iranians are elated that actor Leonardo DiCaprio is helping to raise awareness of the drying of Lake Urmia. Iran
Cash offer for TV shows to hide cigarettes, drugs has some in Egypt fuming Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali's offer of 1 million Egyptian pounds to any TV series to not show smoking or drug use during the holy month of Ramadan causes a furor in Egypt. Egypt
Erdogan vs. the world With Recep Tayyip Erdogan closer than ever to total authority, the world is going to have to deal with an increasingly confrontational Turkish president. Turkey
How a Turkish opposition party turned pro-Erdogan The latest episode in Turkey’s political games sees both the government and the leadership of the opposition Nationalist Action Party (MHP) combine forces to fend off the opposition within the MHP. Turkey
