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
Will a united Israeli Arab party survive elections? Despite huge ideological gaps, Arab parties in Israel are trying to form a joint list for the election, but their traditional voter base might not follow. Palestine
Iraqi politicians work toward national consensus Afters years of internal division, major political actors in Haider al-Abadi’s new government have become a team, lifting the mood of the despondent Iraqi street. Iraq
Egypt forgives Iraqi debt in exchange for oil During Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s visit to Cairo, the Egyptian government agreed to drop the Iraqi debt owed to Egypt, in exchange for oil shares that would come in handy in light of the energy crisis plaguing Egypt. Egypt
Instead of reform, Israeli candidates offer gimmicks The current Israeli election campaign is stocked with politicians visiting the Jerusalem market, populist declarations after the Tel Aviv terror attack and embarrassing video clips, but no proposals for reform or any consolidated agenda. Israel
Zarif defends walk with Kerry Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is under fire in Iran for his public walk in Geneva with US Secretary of State John Kerry. Iran
Did US backtrack on Palestinian statehood to please Israel? The United States’ strong position against recognition of a Palestinian state has exposed the vacuity of its two-state rhetoric. Palestine
Congress blindsides Obama, inviting Netanyahu to speak Inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran sanctions without the White House’s knowledge was seen as an unprecedented slap at President Barack Obama. Israel
US maintains intelligence relationship with Houthis Despite alarmist news reports, the Barack Obama administration appears to have adjusted to the rise of the Houthis in Yemen and is continuing attacks on al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Legacy: Gulf
Congress unmoved by Obama's call to back off Iran legislation The Senate kicked off legislative debate while the House invited Israel's Netanyahu to weigh in. Congress
Lebanese visa regulations cause more distress for Syrians The announcement of new regulations requiring Syrians to obtain visas to enter Lebanon has caused consternation and confusion among Syrians as well as in the Lebanese government. Lebanon
Israeli party lists show new names, little experience Ahead of Israel's elections, many publicly unknown figures have been promised slots on different party lists, while the esteemed former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz was rejected and no leading municipal leader and few former generals were willing to join. Israel
Should Israel protect Jewish Diaspora or its own citizens? Israel must concentrate on protecting its own citizens, in spite of the risks for the Jews of the world, focusing on military targets and not potential reprisals against Jewish targets outside its borders. Israel
