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 to defeat the Islamic State To defeat the Islamic State, the world powers need a clear-cut, unified strategy to guide the war on terrorism. Legacy: Gulf
Iran shifts approach to fight against alcohol Faced with increasing rates of alcohol consumption, the Iranian authorities are beginning to treat the issue as a public health rather than religious concern. Iran
Israeli right buries head in sand Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to ignore warnings by the Obama administration and by the European Union over the collapse of the two-state solution. Palestine
How a statuette dashed hopes for Turkish-Egyptian reconciliation While a visit to Egypt by representatives of Turkey’s Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges initially sparked hopes of a reconciliation between Ankara and Cairo, things seem unlikely to change anytime soon. Egypt
Hamas-Fatah dispute hampers commemorations for Arafat’s death Fatah and Hamas are fighting over the venue for holding commemoration events of Yasser Arafat’s death, while the Palestinian public seems to be divided on whether these events should still be held 11 years after his death. Palestine
Why it's time for US to take firm approach to two-state solution Instead of contemplating a passive approach, the United States could declare 2018 the year of permanent status for the two-state solution, establishing an independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. Palestine
Iran doubts US goals in Syria talks Iran's deputy foreign minister for Arab and African affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said Iran will decide whether to participate in the next round of Vienna II talks on Syria after reviewing whether the United States is working behind the scenes to push its own agenda. Saudi Arabia
How to solve Lebanese civil war disappearances The International Committee of the Red Cross has a plan to identify the remains of those who went missing during Lebanon’s civil war, but support from the government is agonizingly slow. Lebanon
Turkey's path to dictatorship Erdogan’s renewed ambitions to install an authoritarian presidential system in Turkey are raising concerns he might further restrict freedom of the press and open a path for a dictatorship. Turkey
Lebanon continues to struggle under weight of Syrian refugee crisis Lebanon is struggling to cope with the Syrian displacement crisis amid weak international action. Lebanon
As European dream fades, Iraqi Kurds return home Thousands of Kurds who fled to Europe are now seeking to return to Iraq after facing an even harsher reality there. Iraq
Corruption becomes hallmark of Israel government Israelis appear to be resigned in the face of a prime minister who dismisses Palestinian despair, Knesset members' involved in corruption and major companies gouging the public with the government's assistance. Israel
