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
How the once-moderate Likud was radicalized Over the past few years, the Likud has abandoned its image as a liberal, center-right party, becoming more radical and identifying with the extreme Israeli right. Israel
Can the Islamic State be defeated without Kurds? Turkey insists Rojava's People's Protection Units must be excluded from the fight against the Islamic State on the Menbic-Jarablus front. Syria
Congress ponders 'Marshall Plan' for Egypt Lawmakers are split over whether they have a friend in Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Saudi-Iran rivalry spills into UN Human Rights Council While Iran was unhappy with the renewal of Ahmed Shaheed’s mandate as special rapporteur for Iran, it appears to be even more irritated over how Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar voted in favor of the measure at the UN Human Rights Council. Saudi Arabia
Despite criticism, Rouhani calls for more international deals President Hassan Rouhani warns that opportunities arising from the nuclear deal won't last forever and Iran must take advantage of them and engage with the world. Iran
Egyptian activists bemoan 'attack on media' The arrest of the deputy head of Egypt's press syndicate has prompted more journalists to become increasingly vocal about restrictions on press freedoms. Egypt
Can Turkey break its Russian gas habit? With no end to bilateral tensions in sight, Turkey is making plans to significantly cut down Russia’s majority share of its natural gas supply. Turkey
Has Israeli army become defender of democracy? In the case of the IDF soldier who shot a Palestinian assailant on the ground, it was Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot who defended categorically the army ethics and values of democracy. Palestine
Why more Israelis are shying away from interaction with Palestinians A new survey by the Israeli Democracy Institute reveals that Jewish Israelis perceive the violent conflict with the Palestinians as unrelated to the occupation. Palestine
Struggle for Jerusalem takes on new form The Israeli Ministry of Tourism has released a map of Jerusalem’s Old City that omits many Christian and Muslim sites, fueling claims that Israel is trying to politicize tourism in the holy city. Palestine
Some Gazans fear Turkish generosity may come at high price Turkey’s crucial humanitarian aid and booming economic projects in Gaza could have hidden political motives. Palestine
Will Israel’s power cuts leave West Bank towns in the dark? Israel will start cutting power in the Palestinian towns of Bethlehem and Jericho due to electricity debts owed by the PA, which Palestinian officials say they "don't even dream of being able to pay back." Palestine
