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
Saudi-Iranian understanding key to nuclear deal's success The nuclear deal should be a prelude to major coordination between Saudi Arabia and Iran if it is to help bring about peace in the region. Pan Arab
Does Turkey care about cultural diversity? More than 100 countries have endorsed a UN convention on protecting cultural diversity, but a decade after its inception, the convention still awaits ratification by the Turkish parliament. Turkey
Is Egypt ready for a secular party? Attempts to establish a secular party are springing up in Egypt, but can the country accept what this party preaches? Egypt
Cyprus settlement could open trade routes for Turkey Should the peace talks in Cyprus result in the island’s reunification, the Turkish economy could benefit from Nicosia's close ties in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Hamas puts on new face with English website launch Hamas has launched a new website in English in the hope of bolstering its communication with the West. Palestine
Dismissed PLO leader denies Dahlan coup plot In an interview with Al-Monitor, former PLO secretary-general Yasser Abed Rabbo accused President Mahmoud Abbas of one-man rule over Palestinian institutions. Palestine
Israel defense minister refuses to consider IDF pension cuts Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon attacked a report calling for the cutting of IDF salaries and pensions despite public support for a more transparent IDF budget. Israel
Israelis lack compassion for Gazans' suffering The recent cancellations of screenings of a documentary on Gaza makes it seem that Israelis are incapable of acknowledging the trauma of war when those suffering are Palestinians. Palestine
Kerry, GOP face off over Iran deal The secretary of state said lawmakers in search of a better deal are pursuing a "fantasy." Congress
Fabius visit stirs bad blood in Iran France’s foreign minister is finding out that a deal with Iran is not enough of a Band-Aid to repair the damage a previous scandal has done to his reputation in the country. Iran
Veteran US diplomat: After Iran deal, focus on Syria US diplomat James Dobbins shared his thoughts on what is next for the US and Iran, and what the recent agreement means for further collaboration in the region. Iraq
Ankara turns blind eye to economic downturn Turkey’s economy is on a worrisome course as tourism and export revenues fall. Turkey
