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
Rouhani settles into a more 'normal' UN routine On his third trip to the UN as Iranian president, Hassan Rouhani is eclipsed by Pope Francis, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the deaths of hundreds of Iranian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. Iran
Why is Jalili pouncing on the nuclear deal? In Iran, leading conservatives use the platform of a new parliamentary commission to attack the nuclear deal. But why? Iran
The mystery of Iran's missing ambassador As Saudi sources claim that Iran's former ambassador to Lebanon never entered Saudi Arabia for the hajj, Iranian media outlets are crying foul play. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s non-Muslims demand apology from Ankara On the 60th anniversary of the Istanbul pogroms, Turkey’s exiled minorities and their descendants are demanding acknowledgment and restitution from the Turkish state. Turkey
Rouhani's chief of staff: More US-Iran anti-terrorism cooperation possible The Iranian president's chief of staff, Mohammad Nahavandian, tells Al-Monitor that the implementation of the nuclear deal will be a test of the West's sincerity. Regional
Will there be a third intifada? Despite growing tensions with Israel, Palestinians must decide whether to preserve the fragile rule of order and security in the West Bank or launch a third intifada. Palestine
Netanyahu, Abbas rush to meet, but Americans say 'not so fast' The Obama administration is not keen on a summit meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Abbas, fearing that without proper preparations, it could upset the already fragile situation. Palestine
Congress pursues 'death by 1,000 cuts' strategy against Iran deal A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Sept. 28. Syria
Will US, Russia find common ground in Syria? A common enemy, the Islamic State, should be the first step in an expanded international coalition; does Iraqi Kurdistan face the prospect of "administrative breakup"? Iraq
Israeli culture minister decries Western culture Culture Minister Miri Regev belittled Western education to appeal to her constituency, but these populist declarations contradict the social mobility achieved by Mizrahi women through university studies, including her own. Israel
Lebanese foreign minister: We cannot be the only ones receiving refugees In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Gebran Bassil talks about the Syrian refugee crisis and the effects of the presidential vacancy on his country. Lebanon
Rouhani blasts Saudi 'ineptitude' for hajj tragedy In a wide-ranging conversation with senior representatives of US media, Hassan Rouhani said the nuclear deal, if implemented, could be “something to build on” in US-Iran relations and efforts to resolve other regional conflicts, but offered no details. Saudi Arabia
