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
Wary of Salafists, Egypt expands control over mosques The Egyptian state is expanding its control over the dialogue in mosques, and is now preventing Salafists from giving sermons without a permit. Egypt
Former Shas leader: Government has abandoned the poor In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Shas Party leader Eli Yishai criticizes the government's alleged socioeconomic agenda, claiming that the poor are again subject to political manipulations. Israel
Turkey’s economic growth fizzles Turkey’s economic growth slowed to 2.1% in the second quarter, well below expectations, forcing the government to review its year-end target of 4%. Turkey
Erdogan's $350M presidential palace President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has filled his newly constructed palace in Ankara with symbolism of his overthrow of Turkey’s old regime. Turkey
Is Israel most important strategic US ally in the region? US President Barack Obama might follow in the footsteps of Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush by forcing diplomatic concessions on Israel. Palestine
Rawabi still controversial among Palestinians Rawabi, the new Palestinian city under construction in the West Bank, has faced criticism from Palestinians, ranging from the involvement of Israeli companies to its design, which largely mimics an Israeli settlement. Palestine
Political rifts threaten Iraq's anti-IS coalition While a coalition of the willing is being formed to tackle the Islamic State (IS), international and local political divisions still threaten to tear it apart, leaving IS the only winner. Iraq
IRGC announces improved economic relations with Rouhani The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that despite initial doubts, relations between the organization and the administration of President Hassan Rouhani have improved. Iran
Hamas debates direct talks with Israel Hamas Deputy Chairman Mousa Abu Marzouk’s bombshell last week that the movement might embark on direct negotiations with Israel has sparked a furious debate within Hamas. Palestine
Iraq's unified 'National Guard' may be impossible Iraq's prime minister has proposed the formation of a National Guard that would unify the ranks of Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish forces. Iraq
Netanyahu, Lapid both winners in defense budget quarrel The Israeli prime minister and finance minister's public quarrel over the defense budget is more a political show than a real coalition crisis, as both politicians are benefiting from the rivalry. Israel
Davutoglu sets ambitious target for Turkish democracy Developments contradict claims by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu that Turkey will become a global power in terms of universal democracy over the next nine years. Turkey
