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
Abadi tries to balance Iraq between Iran, Turkey Under Nouri al-Maliki, the Iraqi government did not hide its strong ties with Iran, but with a new administration in place, Haider al-Abadi is trying to cultivate a more balanced policy toward its neighbors. Iraq
Erdogan spins Kurdish Quran as political tool The first Kurdish-language Quran published by Turkey’s state-run Religious Affairs Directorate has provoked a political outcry ahead of general elections in June. Turkey
Turks fear Saudi alliance will drag country into Syria Opposition politicians in Turkey have charged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with leading Turkey to war in Syria. Legacy: Gulf
King Salman needs total victory in Yemen The new Saudi king must reassure his domestic audience that his aggressive foreign policy will safeguard the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Could Jordan-Palestine confederation be in the cards? Palestinian and Jordanian officials are contemplating the idea of a Jordan-Palestine confederation, to be created after the establishment of a Palestinian state and with Israeli involvement. Palestine
Netanyahu bitter over justice minister appointee Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s shrinking coalition forces him to appoint his old nemesis, Knesset member Ayelet Shaked, to the post of justice minister. Israel
Hamas cracks down on Salafists in Gaza Strip A recent series of arrests shows that despite mediation efforts trying to quell the conflict, animosity between Hamas and Salafists seems to be growing. Palestine
Egypt’s Tamarod outlives its purpose The legitimacy and relevance of Egypt’s Tamarod movement are being called into question now that the movement seems to have achieved its goals, mainly the overthrow of former President Mohammed Morsi. Egypt
Gaza's youth protesters remain divided Young people in the Gaza Strip have long struggled to coalesce around one central demand in their protests against the dire living conditions since Hamas took over. Palestine
Iran review bill approval sets up partisan battle Senate passage of congressional review legislation presages a bitter vote over Iran negotiations in the event of a final deal. Iran
GCC won’t get written defense guarantees at Camp David Former Pentagon official says formal defense treaty with GCC is “not in the cards” at next week’s summit. Legacy: Gulf
Oman breaks from GCC on Yemen conflict Oman sees Saudi Arabia's strategy in Yemen as misguided and dangerous for the Gulf region. Legacy: Gulf
