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
How will Lebanon’s Christians deal with presidential vacancy? If a new Lebanese president is not elected by the constitutionally stipulated deadline of May 25, the Christians’ options are limited. Lebanon
Attack on Israeli journalists might indicate shift to violence The attack of two Israeli journalists in the West Bank town of Beitunia might indicate that despite the apparent lack of Palestinian interest in a surge of violence, a third intifada could erupt. Palestine
Maliki got election assist from Anbar crisis Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki skillfully used the Anbar crisis to deepen the sense of collective danger among Shiite voters. Iraq
Israel threatens NGO's tax status for political stand In an interview with Al-Monitor, the chairman of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Raphael Walden, says that his NGO, which cares for Palestinians and African refugees, might lose its tax benefit status over its criticism against government policy. Palestine
Turkey pivots to Baghdad to close deal on Kurdish oil Turkey has realized it can’t sell Kurdish oil without Baghdad’s blessing. Iraq
Not all PA civil servants in Gaza want jobs back Around 3,000 public servants in Gaza are scheduled to return to their government posts as part of the April reconciliation deal between Fatah and Hamas, providing more opportunities for the unemployed — but some of them prefer their second jobs. Palestine
Iranian analyst: 'Who entrusted Iran with destroying Israel?' For the second time on national media, outspoken analyst Sadegh Zibakalam has publicly criticized Iran’s rhetoric on Israel. Iran
Former UN Syria envoy says Iran plan on Syria 'worth discussing' In his first interview since resigning as the UN-Arab League special envoy for Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi reflects on the reasons for the failure of the Geneva process and the prospects for a political solution in Syria. Syria
Turkey’s Erdogan problem Events in Turkey since the March 30 elections have seen problems mostly of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s making. Turkey
Islamic extremism on rise in Jordan The Islamists in Jordan are growing stronger, which is linked to the war in Syria. Jordan
In mining tragedy, Erdogan doesn't learn from past mistakes Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s disastrous response to the Soma mining tragedy reflects a narrow and defensive approach to politics. Turkey
US should test Iran on Syria The United States and Iran can build on shared interests in combating al-Qaeda and terrorist groups, disarmament of Syria’s chemical weapons and opening humanitarian aid corridors. Syria
