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 finds out one is the loneliest number The regional and global loneliness Ankara dragged itself into with its foreign policy since 2009 is becoming hazardous with the threat from the Islamic State. Iraq
Islamic banking gains ground in Turkey In a first for Turkey, a state-run bank is poised to enter the Islamic banking sector, and other major state lenders are expected to follow. Turkey
Egyptian cinema tries to find its place Post-revolution cinema in Egypt has found it must walk a fine line and ensure that it is criticizing the right people, as "The Island 2" currently in cinemas does its best to. Egypt
Is NATO membership shackling Turkey? Pro-government Turkish analysts argue that NATO membership has become a shackle on Turkey, hampering the country’s ambitions to become a global actor. Turkey
Slow progress in Saudi-Iranian ties Although Saudi and Iranian officials have cemented talks in recent months, this is not significant enough to alter ties between the two foes. Legacy: Gulf
Netanyahu's Jerusalem construction a stalling strategy Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is escalating the situation in East Jerusalem by announcing more construction plans that, even if not enacted, assure the stability of his right-wing coalition and head off talks with the Palestinians. Israel
Iraqi battle seen as key victory in Iran The battle in Jurf al-Sakhar was portrayed by a number of conservative Iranian media outlets as key to forcing the Islamic State into retreat and eventually taking back Anbar province. Iraq
Palestinian elections on hold until further notice The reconciliation government has yet to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as Hamas and Fatah accuse each other of stalling this democratic process. Palestine
Erdogan confronts allies, rivals alike over Syria Foreign policy experts say Erdogan may dream of leading the Sunni world but Ankara has painted itself into a corner by insisting on misguided policies. Syria
Israel, Poland remember but also rebuild Israeli President Reuven Rivlin took part in the inauguration of a new museum in Warsaw dedicated to 1,000 years of Jewish history, which reflects Poland's desire not only to remember the Holocaust but also to rebuild relations with Israel. Israel
Iran media faces backlash over acid attacks coverage Iranian authorities have criticized domestic and international media organizations for suggesting the crimes may have been connected to veiling enforcement. Iran
Fatah’s Revolutionary Council grapples with growing issues At its last meeting, Fatah’s Revolutionary Council discussed relations with Hamas, negotiations with Israel and internal disputes with Mohammed Dahlan’s movement. Palestine
