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
Iraq faces challenge to find solution for growing slums With Baghdad’s slums accommodating more than 2 million people, a solution to the housing crisis needs to be part of an urban planning strategy, something that previous governments ignored when distributing land to the poor. Iraq
Israel's halfhearted independence celebration Israel is losing its modest and secular character in favor of a more religious and material society. Palestine
Can social media sway Egypt's youth vote? The current presidential election campaigns in Egypt have witnessed an unprecedented use of the Internet and social media as a means of targeting young voters. Egypt
Does Erdogan really want Gulen in Turkey? Turkish Prime Minster Recep Tayyip Erdogan is calling for Fethullah Gulen's extradition from the United States to Turkey, but he should be careful what he wishes for. Turkey
Syrian Kurd leader urges Turkey to join fight against jihadists In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim says his Democratic Union Party will not participate in Syria’s presidential elections, and questions why the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq is not helping Syria’s Kurds. Iraq
Former IRGC commander’s comments on Syria censored After a former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corp commented about Hezbollah and the formation of an Iranian committee to help rebuild Syria, the story was censored and the article removed. Iran
On Independence Day, Netanyahu caves to right wing To ensure his seat and his political future, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adopts the bill defining Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, raising “a white flag of surrender to the right wing and the settlers.” Palestine
Iran seeks Shiite consensus on next Iraqi premier Iran would prefer that Nouri al-Maliki serve a third term as Iraqi prime minister, but will also give priority to a consensus among the Iraqi Shiite parties. Iraq
Fallen soldiers memorial and the Israeli ethos On the eve of Israel's memorial day for its fallen soldiers, a cornerstone was laid for a national memorial hall, evoking once more the debate over a common narrative of Israeli wars. Israel
Turkish trade unions in death throes Restrictive laws and government hostility have crippled Turkey’s once-mighty labor movement, which made a poor showing this May Day. Turkey
Hamas' Abu Marzouk says recognizing Israel a 'red line' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mousa Abu Marzouk, deputy chairman of Hamas' political bureau, said that although it "will not recognize Israel ... Hamas will not burden the next government's success with hurdles and obstacles." Palestine
Israel, at 66, losing its creative national spirit Once a young, creative and peace-aspiring country, Israel is missing the spirit that animated its founders. Palestine
