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 paper sees conspiracy in Netanyahu speech While reactions have been mixed in Iranian newspapers, hard-line Kayhan believes that Netanyahu and Obama are actually deceiving the Iranian negotiators. Iran
Erdogan tests waters in Riyadh Diplomats argue that Erdogan’s Saudi Arabia visit is an attempt to regain some of the regional clout Turkey has lost in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Will US-Israel rift benefit Palestinians? The Palestinians hope that the growing rift between the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government will signal to Europeans and others that the United States might be less forceful in diplomatically defending Israel. Palestine
Starbucks becomes flashpoint between Turks, Armenians Armenian-American activists are scoring major points against an angry and misinformed Turkish public. Turkey
US persuaded Turkey to include Israel in NATO drills Leaked emails between the Obama administration and Turkish senior officials reflect US efforts at reconciling Israel and Turkey — when the latter objected to Israel's participation at a NATO sea drill. Israel
Unprecedented rift splits Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood The Shura Council of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood has decided to revoke the membership of 10 leading members belonging to the Zamzam Initiative, a group that seeks to break ties with Egypt’s Brotherhood. Jordan
Egypt closes 27,000 places of worship The Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowment has shuttered 27,000 local places of worship under the pretext of fighting terrorism, while awarding 400 preaching permits to Salafists. Egypt
Palestinian factions maintain fragile stability in Sidon camp Although Salafist fugitives have found refuge in Ain al-Hilweh, competing Palestinian factions appear intent on maintaining stability in the refugee camp. Lebanon
US, EU battle Netanyahu for public's trust on Iran Israeli leader sees Congress as crucial backstop against "bad deal." Israel
IRGC: Naval exercise also 'media-psychological' operation The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps public relations has said that Iran's publicized naval exercises were meant to prepare for threats from countries beyond the region and praised the media coverage of them. Iran
Women's roles in Hamas slowly evolve The Hamas movement is keen to encourage women’s participation in military and social life, depending on women to mobilize support. Palestine
Life in Gaza gives Palestinian satirists plenty of material Gazans have embraced satirical videos and publications that reflect the Gaza Strip's economic, social and political crises. Palestine
