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
Iran targets 'MI6 Shiites' The Iranian government is engaged in a media offensive against the Shiite Shirazi movement, which runs a broadcasting network to spread its message. Iran
MEK uses congressional spotlight to push regime change in Iran The Iranian dissident group's leader told lawmakers that Tehran's mullahs are an inspiration for Islamists everywhere. Iran
Top Biden aide moves to NSC Jeffrey Prescott, Vice President Joe Biden’s deputy national security adviser and veteran China hand, started April 29 as the National Security Council's senior director for Iran, Iraq, Syria and the Gulf states. Pan Arab
Iran minister apologizes for comment on 'dirty money' in politics After coming under criticism, Iran's interior minister apologizes before an open session of parliament over "misunderstandings" about comments he made regarding dirty money in politics. Iran
Is Erdogan signaling end of secularism in Turkey? The Religious Affairs Directorate has become the center of the election campaign in Turkey, causing further social discord. Turkey
Self-proclaimed Liberland attracts Egyptian youth Egypt’s young generation is hanging by a thread, but Liberland has given the youth some hope amid mounting instability and high unemployment rates in the country. Egypt
Hamas imposes new taxes to meet payroll dues In an attempt to raise the payrolls of employees appointed by the previous Hamas government, new taxes have been levied on goods and services in Gaza, angering importers and consumers. Palestine
US restates positions as Israeli government takes shape Senior Obama administration officials have reiterated the president's commitment in a 2009 Cairo speech to the two-state solution, reinforcing the US stance to Netanyahu's new government. Palestine
Iran's tourism industry scrambles to catch up with demand As Iranian President Hassan Rouhani improves relations with the West, Iranian officials announce they will build more hotels to meet the expected demand of foreign tourists. Iran
Saudi Arabia’s Islamist-liberal divide The Saudi regime needs to tend to internal divisions in the kingdom and scale back its interventionism in the region to improve its prospects for long-term stability. Legacy: Gulf
Congressional invite to MEK sparks furious backlash Former State Department officials are refusing to testify alongside Mujahedeen-e-Khalq leader Maryam Rajavi. Congress
Iran official warns water crisis could lead to mass migration The adviser for water, agricultural and environment to Iran’s vice president warns that if Iran doesn't cut its water exploitation in half, the country could see a mass exodus. Iran
