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
'Imamization' raising eyebrows in Turkey The Religious Affairs Directorate has begun subcontracting imams to other government agencies, raising questions about their ultimate purpose. Turkey
Central Bank governor: Iran expects access to US financial system In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Central Bank Governor Valiollah Seif said Iran has made economic progress even before the lifting of sanctions and invited American companies to compete with Europeans in trading with and investing in Iran. Iran
How Hamas plans to boost its declining popularity The Hamas movement hopes a new exchange deal with Israel for the release of Palestinian prisoners will reverse its declining popularity among Palestinians. Palestine
Syria's Kurds take control of oil fields, now what? After Kurdish forces took control of parts of northeastern Syria, they have found themselves facing many challenges, including the management of their oil wells. Syria
Decline in education threatens future Iraqi generations The lack of schools and large number of students in the same classroom have negatively affected the learning process and the future of Iraq’s new generation. Iraq
Palestinians pop up in Panama Papers The Panama Papers included many names from the Palestinian Authority, an institution already facing widespread allegations of corruption. Palestine
Why Israel is staying silent on Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict Despite its strong ties with Azerbaijan, Israel has kept silent on the conflict with Armenia out of wariness of raising the issue of occupation. Israel
Will Sisi, Muslim Brotherhood make peace? The return of an Islamic TV broadcaster who fled after the 2013 coup has raised the question whether reconciliation is possible between the Egyptian government and the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
French FM speaks out on Middle East crises Newly appointed French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault speaks to Al-Monitor about the link between Europe's migrant crisis and the Syrian conflict, saying the European Union and France must shoulder their responsibilities to help solve the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Lebanon
OIC conference begins with Iran-Saudi spat Iran’s foreign minister has condemned Saudi Arabia's attempts to introduce anti-Iranian resolutions ahead of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia
Does Jordan hold key to Palestinian independence? Palestinian researchers and activists are advancing the proposal of a Jordanian-Palestinian confederation, even though the Palestinian leadership fears that such a structure could harm future Palestinian sovereignty. Palestine
Why Hamas needs a prisoner-swap deal with Israel Hamas seems to believe the only way to battle the frustration of Gaza residents over their desperate economic situation and corrupt leadership is to announce another prisoner exchange. Palestine
