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
Turkey missed its key economic targets in 2014 Turkey failed to attain most of its key economic targets last year, but was likely to receive a boost from falling oil prices in 2015. Turkey
New visa regulations confuse Syrians Syrians in Lebanon who have legal residency permits are worried that new regulations will not protect them from being deported. Lebanon
Will Davutoglu say anything new at Davos? All ears will be on Ahmet Davutoglu at the World Economic Forum, as he will be the first Turkish prime minister to address it in six years. Turkey
Moscow prepares for meeting of Syrian leaders Russia is set to proctor a meeting of Syrian opposition figures, who will then meet with representatives of the Syrian regime in an inclusive and open dialogue with no preconditions, as a step toward resuming the Geneva deliberations. Syria
Iranian civil society speaking up for Afghans' rights Iranians are pressuring the government to help Afghan nationals with the problems they face, including discrimination and lack of access to schools. Iran
Will Russia's economic decline affect its Middle East influence? Russia’s economic influence in the Middle East is bound to suffer as its economy continues to decline; but whatever happens, Moscow will retain one of its most important sources of influence — its veto power in the UN Security Council. Russia
Oppressed by China, Uighurs drawn to Salafist ideas China’s oppressive policies and the increasing influence of extreme Salafist currents are inflating radicalization among the Uighur population. Turkey
Netanyahu makes ICC decision campaign issue While Europeans are suspending their criticisms until after the Israeli elections in fear of providing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with political ammunition, the ICC decision to open an investigation is being used by the Israeli right to present the Europeans as enemies. Palestine
Egypt bans 'Exodus' movie Egyptian critics consider the Culture Ministry’s decision to ban the screening of the US movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" a result of Al-Azhar pressure, and believe it will only lead distribution companies to show more such movies. Egypt
Slow progress on Iran talks In the Jan. 18 Iran nuclear talks, top officials expressed concern about making sufficient progress to meet the March 24 agreement deadline. Congress
Congress takes first step on Iran sanctions A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Jan. 19. Iran
Behind the recent turmoil in Iran’s parliament The turmoil in Iran's parliament stems from concern about the 2016 parliamentary and Assembly of Experts elections. Iran
