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
What’s behind Zarif’s visit to Beirut? An Iranian diplomat shared with Al-Monitor some behind-the-scenes information regarding the Iranian foreign minister’s visit to Beirut and its implications for Lebanon and the region. Palestine
Will Abadi's reforms work? Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi approved major reform measures for the country, but challenges, especially when it comes to implementation on the ground and within state institutions, still stand in the way. Iraq
Turks turn to dollar as lira hits low Turkish depositors are abandoning the Turkish lira and clamoring for the US dollar. Turkey
Getting to know Israel's next ambassador to the UN Instead of rewarding one of his associates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named Minister Danny Danon as Israel's next UN ambassador, hoping that a happy Danon in New York is preferable to a strong Danon in Likud's headquarters. Israel
Wafd shadow government puzzles Egyptians The Wafd Party announced the formation of a shadow government that it claims supports the sitting government, a position observers note contradicts the traditional purpose of shadow governments. Egypt
Palestinian official denies Abbas resignation rumors In an interview with Al-Monitor, senior Palestinian official Mohammad Shtayyeh said the Palestinian leadership is focused on establishing a "healthy relationship" with Iran and denied the rumors surrounding the resignation of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Iran deal looking safer in Congress Opponents of the nuclear agreement have so far failed to gain much traction during the summer recess. Congress
Zarif presses diplomacy on Syria Iran brokers humanitarian cease-fires in Syria; Yair Lapid discusses “dreadful gamble” in US-Israel relations; Turkey’s Stone Age temple may predate Stonehenge and Egyptian pyramids by thousands of years. Oman
Zarif pushes Syria plan ahead of Iran-GCC talks With a nuclear deal in hand, Iran is focusing on jump-starting regional diplomacy and dealing with Syria. Legacy: Gulf
Tehran district grows by leaps and bounds The Iranian capital's newest district presents plenty of opportunities, but also challenges. Iran
Coptic Church unhappy Egyptian Christians are joining Salafist-linked party The Coptic Church in Egypt is not happy about some of its followers joining the Salafist Nour Party, whose platform it believes is sectarian and anti-Coptic. Egypt
Will Sisi's economic reforms succeed? A little more than one year into his term, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's economic policies and generous foreign aid seem to have had a positive impact on the economy, but many challenges remain. Egypt
