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
Looking to invest in Sinai? The Egyptian government has amended its law on development in the Sinai Peninsula to permit Egyptian investors to own the properties where their projects are carried out. Egypt
Saudi king wants Obama to tackle Iranian 'mischief' King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud will make clear during his White House visit that Riyadh’s lukewarm support for the Iran nuclear deal depends on the United States keeping Tehran in check. Saudi Arabia
Protesters in Iraq and Lebanon demand accountability Demonstrations in Iraq and Lebanon may signal new round of "Arab Springs"; Will Saudi capture of Khobar towers mastermind affect US policy toward Iran? Saudi Arabia
Yazidi students abandon Arabic script with eye toward Europe Yazidi refugees in Turkey are struggling to restart their children’s education, and many are now learning the Latin alphabet with the hope of one day starting new lives in Europe. Iraq
Ankara needs to explain its turnaround in dealings with PKK As confrontations persist between Turkish government forces and the Kurdistan Workers Party, the government has remained mum about the reasons for the breakdown of the Kurdish peace process. Syria
Is Abbas’ resignation from PLO bid to consolidate power? Critics claim that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has resigned as chairman of the PLO's Executive Committee to force a re-election and then stack the new committee with his supporters. Palestine
Israel needs new police chief, but is Gal Hirsch the one for the job? With the deteriorating image of Israel's police force, it was necessary to appoint an outside candidate as police chief, but perhaps controversial reserve Brig. Gen. Gal Hirsch is not the right person for the task. Israel
Lebanon protesters shift focus from garbage crisis to cleaning up government The demonstrations held Aug. 22 by independent Lebanese activists against the government's mishandling of waste collection management are likely to continue, as people now shift their focus to corruption in the political class. Lebanon
Dangers of international 'fatigue' on Israel-Palestine issue If the international community opts for passivity on a two-state solution instead of intervention, the policy vacuum might attract many negative factors and ignite violence. Palestine
KRG parliament speaker: Barzani's term extension 'against the law' Speaker of the Iraqi Kurdistan parliament Yousif Mohammed Sadiq, who is leading the opposition to the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s efforts to keep President Massoud Barzani in office, tells Al-Monitor that Barzani has lost his legitimacy. Iraq
Iranian oil minister: 'Others' should be worried about oil prices Iran's oil minister has said the ministry would welcome an emergency OPEC meeting, but that Iran will not limit its oil production to retain its share of the oil market. Iran
What's the greatest risk to Turkey's economy? Regional and domestic volatility is threatening Turkey’s finances while the country’s political and financial uncertainties worry global investors. Turkey
