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
Iraqi book festival draws thousands People came from various Iraqi provinces to attend the "I’m Iraqi, I read books" festival in Baghdad, as Iraqis show determination to combat the forces of terror. Iraq
Can P5+1 formula work for Israel, Palestinians? While Palestinian officials partially welcome the idea of a P5+1 framework for multilateral negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates count on the Americans to nip this idea in the bud. Palestine
Turkey slides into deeper isolation over Syria Turkey’s Western allies are increasingly frustrated with its attempts to direct the US-led military coalition’s focus from the Islamic State to the Syrian regime, while Russia and Iran are openly opposing Turkey’s attempts to establish a buffer zone. Syria
Egyptian activists fear new penalties for foreign funding Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued a presidential decree increasing punishment for groups receiving foreign funding in the context of counterterrorism, but activists fear the new measures will target them. Egypt
Iraq should use IS war to rebuild foreign relations The war against the Islamic State provides Iraq with an opportunity to rebuild fractured relations with neighboring countries and others. Iraq
Asylum seekers pawns in political power struggle The Knesset and the government have a variety of ways to address the issue of African illegal immigrants short of jailing them without trial, but the right wing prefers to use them to attack the judiciary. Israel
Egypt's disabled marginalized by government The situation of disabled Egyptians is not improving and may further deteriorate with the prime minister’s decision to affiliate the National Council for Disability Affairs with the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Egypt
Iran nuclear negotiator says talks may be extended once more Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, one of Iran's nuclear negotiators, has said that if the next round of nuclear talks do not make progress, a final deal by the Nov. 24 deadline will not be possible and another extension may be needed. Iran
Former Labor politician faults the left for supporting Netanyahu In an interview with Al-Monitor, Ophir Pines lamented that the left has not challenged Israel's right-wing government on the diplomatic and defense fronts, but said a historic opportunity lies ahead for regime change. Israel
Looking behind the Russia-Iran relationship Despite the common perception of Russia as Iran's main backer outside the region, the two big regional players’ relations are shaped by long-term interests that can clash with immediate concerns and may complicate the battle against the Islamic State. Russia
Is Abbas one vote from Security Council majority? Faced with a diplomatic stalemate unprecedented since the Oslo Accord, the Palestinians have given up on negotiating with Israel, opting instead to go to the UN Security Council, where they appear on the verge of securing a majority. Palestine
Iranian MP demands Rouhani end house arrests Iranian parliament member Ali Motahhari has warned President Hassan Rouhani that if he doesn't end the house arrests of the 2009 presidential candidates, he wil be called for a parliament hearing. Iran
