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's first Communist mayor offers 'another left' A small town in Turkey has become the first municipality to elect a Communist mayor. Turkey
Senior Hamas leader discusses Iran, Syria, Palestinian politics Senior Hamas figure Mahmoud al-Zahar tells Al-Monitor’s Palestine Pulse that Hamas is "ready at any moment" to resume reconciliation talks with Fatah. Palestine
Turkey's atheists get organized Turkey’s Association of Atheists faces negative public perceptions, but is a sign of a trend in Turkish civil society of groups seeking recognition and rights. Turkey
Abbas proposes discussing borders of future state The Palestinian formula for the resumption of talks with Israel includes discussion of borders issue, which is not only the aim of negotiations but also the only way to sell renewed talks to the Palestinian public. Palestine
Parliament to defer election of Lebanon’s next president The Lebanese electoral session will be a “feeler” to determine the sizes of the various forces. Lebanon
Syrian government to intensify offensive before election After its victory in Yabrud, the Syrian regime may try to retake Aleppo, strengthening its position ahead of presidential elections scheduled for early June. Syria
Aleppo's children struggle to stay in school A first-hand report from Aleppo on local initiatives in rebel-held east Aleppo trying to keep children in school. Syria
Women prominent in coming Iraqi elections Unlike in past elections, many female candidates are running in the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month. Iraq
KRG trench divides Syrian, Iraqi Kurds The ditch dug by the Kurdistan Regional Government at Rojava, separating Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, adds another layer of complexity to the regional conflict. Iraq
Meretz leader justifies Abbas applications to UN treaties In an interview with Al-Monitor, Meretz Party leader Zehava Gal-On defends the application of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to 15 international treaties, claiming that this move could constitute a framework for continuing negotiations. Palestine
Ahmadinejad’s return may be boost for Rouhani The former Iranian president seeks to capitalize on the frustration of conservatives with Rouhani’s economic and foreign policies. Iran
Lebanon needs a model president Lebanon currently faces crises that only a unifying president can address. Lebanon
