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
Labor's new list: young, leftist, social-oriented The primary elections held by the Labor Party produced a list dominated by young left-wing candidates who are identified with the social protests, and excluding Labor's veteran politicians. Israel
Meretz Party: victim of its own convictions The left-wing Meretz Party suffers from a negative image among Jewish voters, but its greatest problem is speaking the truth and daring to criticize the government even at times of military conflict. Israel
Turkish Kurds' electoral strategy is a high-wire act Rumors of electoral collusion between the government and the Kurdish Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP) gain momentum. Syria
Erdogan, inadvertently, brings humor to Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comically dressed warriors help Turks regain their sense of humor. Turkey
Iran MP attacked during speech Ali Motahhari's speech on the parliament floor was cut short by his fellow parliament members after he made statements in support of ending the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders. Originals
Egypt’s cybersecurity council prompts privacy concerns Egypt has launched a new cybersecurity division to protect its ministries and institutions from cyberattacks, but some political groups and activists are concerned it might also be used to curtail speech and monitor their online activities. Egypt
Israeli political youth movements hope for revival In contrast with veteran Israeli political parties, HaBayit HaYehudi and Yesh Atid devote considerable efforts to building their youth movements, thus cementing a strong electoral base for the future. Israel
Action needed to reform Iranian banks Poor economic conditions have led to a crisis of non-performing loans for Iranian banks. Iran
Ya'alon: Abbas barely controls Jenin In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon argued that the Gaza war last summer prevented a Hamas takeover of the West Bank: "Mahmoud Abbas does not control Gaza, he barely controls Jenin." Palestine
Are there any prospects for Moscow-Libya cooperation? Russian officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude to developments in Libya. Libya
Hamas, Fatah bicker over Gaza crossings The Palestinian government says that Hamas is delaying the handover of the Gaza crossings, while Hamas insists on a partnership to manage the transition. Palestine
Closing Jewish tomb in Egypt raises tensions Egypt’s closure of the tomb of Rabbi Abu Hasira and the cancelation of the annual festival celebrating his birth in the Nile Delta have angered Jewish pilgrims and tourists, inciting Tel Aviv to take the matter to UNESCO. Egypt
