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
Political humor no joke for Turkish satirists As the Turkish president's wrath reaches German satirists, their Turkish colleagues soldier on amid constant intimidation, prosecution and even physical attacks. Turkey
Will Popular Mobilization Units join operations to liberate Mosul? Although the Sunni forces oppose the participation of the Popular Mobilization Units in the battle for Mosul, the Iraqi government has opted for their participation in the absence of a US veto. Iraq
Why Jordan's king is criticizing his country's closest allies King Abdullah has made harsh statements against Obama’s war on IS, Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy and Russia’s policy in Syria, yet due to Amman's precarious geostrategic position he doesn't always fully stand by his own comments. Israel
Controversy over Italian student's murder threatens Egypt's tourism sector Ambiguity concerning the investigations into the murder of Italian researcher Giulio Regeni in Egypt will further harm the country's already declining tourism sector. Egypt
Protesters return to Egypt's streets Will Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to renounce Egyptian control of two Red Sea islands to Riyadh be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, amid widespread anger at the government policies? Saudi Arabia
Former Lebanese PM brings two important messages to Moscow Despite differing views between former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Russia on the makeup of the Lebanese government, Hariri's recent visit to Moscow shows the bond between the two countries. Lebanon
Can Obama wake Saudis from their dream of continued dominance? US President Barack Obama is expected to attempt some delicate diplomacy when he visits Riyadh this month: mending fences with Arab allies while still urging them to pick up the pace in fighting terrorism. Saudi Arabia
Congress cool on Kurdistan bailout KRG leaders’ Capitol Hill trek yields lots of praise but no promises. Iraq
EU report ruffles Turkey's feathers The European Parliament chastises itself for delaying the release of a progress report in which it condemns Turkey's many human rights violations. Turkey
Why Israel wants these bedouins to pay for their village's demolition After demolishing the unrecognized Bedouin village of al-Araqib in the Negev region for the 96th time since 2010, Israel is now seeking for villagers to pay damages in compensation for the recurrent demolition work in a bid to force them out and implement the Prawer Plan. Palestine
Israeli envoy reflects on time at UN In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israel's envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, shares insights into the issue he deals with daily, including cyber warfare, terrorism and raising alarms about Hezbollah. Palestine
Iranian official says Nusra, not IS, main threat to West The tug of war in Syria will grind on as political talks appear to be going nowhere. Syria
