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
Is Iran really to blame for Yemen conflict? Yemen's conflict is homegrown and the only way to stabilize the country's descent into civil war is through a political deal. Saudi Arabia
Classical singer claims performance ban in Iran Iran’s most famous classical singer says he was banned from performing in Iran over his criticism of the 2009 protest crackdown. Iran
Security services drain Palestine's budget Palestine's security services continue to receive the bulk of the Palestinian Authority’s annual budget, to the detriment of other vital sectors. Palestine
What will lifting sanctions do to Iran's rial? The removal of sanctions will likely substantially strengthen the rial and could lead to a wave of cheap and wasteful imports into Iran, economists have warned. Iran
Netanyahu snatches defeat from jaws of victory Instead of composing a large and stable coalition, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself with only 61 coalition members and must try to persuade the Zionist Camp to join his government. Israel
Egypt's independent media outlets face closures A dip in profits is pushing Egyptian media institutions to become government mouthpieces, negatively impacting their content. Egypt
Khamenei: We will not negotiate under 'specter of threats' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's harsh words were likely a response to comments by US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, who have suggested that the military option is still on the table. Iran
Will Erdogan's backtracking torpedo PKK disarmament? The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has dropped plans to convene a congress to renounce its armed struggle after hostile outbursts by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and government officials. Turkey
Turkey avoids economic pain with EU trade agreement Turkey would have suffered heavy economic consequences if it was left out of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, the world’s largest free trade zone. Turkey
Yachimovich offensive a bid for Labor leadership Preparing for a term in the opposition and for next year's party primaries, former Labor head Shelly Yachimovich has come out against the Zionist Camp's dual leadership, taking aim in particular at Tzipi Livni. Israel
Restrictions on Iraq's displaced people worsen Shiite-Sunni divide Discrimination against Sunnis by Shiites is rampant in Iraq, raising distrust between Sunni and Shiite communities and aggravating the situation of internally displaced people. Iraq
New Knesset supports two-state solution With Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman joining the opposition, the balance of power in the Knesset is clearly in favor of those supporting a two-state solution. Palestine
