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 viable is Lebanon’s presidential poll? A few Christian leaders in Lebanon have agreed on a mechanism to resolve the ongoing presidential conflict that has caused the resentment of many, but will it prove a viable option? Lebanon
Israeli MK recounts his time on Gaza flotilla In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli-Arab Knesset member Basel Ghattas says that contrary to claims by right-wing Knesset members, the Marianne flotilla was not an act of violence, but a political one, drawing international attention to Gaza by peaceful means. Palestine
The Islamic State is coming for the Gulf The Islamic State seems to believe its recent suicide attacks against Shiite targets in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will increase its appeal to Sunnis in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Why is Israel turning a blind eye to South Sudan arms sales? Meretz Knesset member Tamar Zandberg accuses Israel of facilitating the sales of weapons to countries at war with an army accused of perpetrating war crimes, such as South Sudan. Israel
Iranians look to post-deal economic, political challenges As Iran moves toward a final nuclear deal, the national media is buzzing with the domestic political and economic issues to be addressed the day after. Iran
Lebanon to poll Christians on choice for president The leaders of Lebanon's main Christian factions have agreed on a proposal by Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun to poll Lebanese Christians on their favored presidential candidate. Lebanon
Egypt clamps down on religious ritual The Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf has imposed a series of strict conditions on religious retreats held in mosques during Ramadan. Egypt
Netanyahu backslides on religious reforms By caving in to ultra-Orthodox demands to cancel religious reforms, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disregards most of the Israeli public, focusing solely on his political survival. Israel
Bennett, Lapid rush to back IDF officer in West Bank shooting Instead of waiting for the IDF to investigate the conduct of its soldiers, Israeli politicians tend to back them unconditionally, turning each incident into a political issue. Palestine
Turkish military wary of Erdogan plan for Syrian buffer zone The United States remains opposed to a no-fly zone in northern Syria; Masrour Barzani calls for "amicable divorce" for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; Jacky Hugi writes that Israel should back the Syrian government "at any price." Iraq
Why did Sisi back out of African Union Summit? Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi canceling his participation in the African Union Summit in Johannesburg has raised questions about relations between Egypt and South Africa. Egypt
Gaza's only mobile phone company forced to close The Gaza attorney general's shutdown of Jawwal for alleged tax evasion could affect hundreds of jobs and has been met by criticism by those who see the company as a victim of a political divide. Palestine
