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
Fatah leadership rejects Dahlan's comeback bid Fatah infighting between rival camps of President Mahmoud Abbas and Mohammed Dahlan is continuing to escalate as Dahlan seeks to revive his political career. Palestine
Iraq’s battle against extremists spreads outside of Anbar Although the Iraqi government launched a military operation in Anbar in December 2013 aimed at eradicating terrorism, it seems the protracted clashes have resulted in terrorist groups expanding their scope to other provinces. Iraq
AIPAC sets 'guidelines' for Iran nuclear deal AIPAC, the American Israel Political Action Committee, makes the case for congressional pressure on Iran. Palestine
New Lebanese government must deal with terror While the partnership between Hezbollah and the Future Movement in the new Lebanese government is good start, to be truly successful, they must directly address terrorism together. Lebanon
Another sensational scandal rocks Turkey Pro-government dailies are reporting a massive wiretapping scandal. Turkey
Iraq's failing state institutions The Iraqi government appoints state officials on the basis of politics rather than competence, something that has led to many state projects failing without anyone being held accountable. Iraq
Lebanon's Christian mediators The newly formed Lebanese government has until mid-March to agree to a ministerial statement, as signs suggest that Christian parties could serve as mediators to the Sunni-Shiite dispute. Lebanon
Jewish/Palestinian history without borders Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should return to the statement made in 2004 by Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat, recognizing Israel as the Jewish state, while Israelis should recognize Palestine as the homeland of Palestinians. Palestine
Hamas denies secret message to Netanyahu Hamas officials denied that Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh sent a secret message to his Israeli counterpart, but debate continues within the movement about a dialogue with Israel. Palestine
The peril of escalation in Syria Edward Dark writes that Aleppans will pay the price for any escalation in the war; the UN Security Council votes for humanitarian assistance and calls for greater cooperation to confront al-Qaeda in Syria; 16 female journalists cover the Middle East; and exorcism in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Lapid wins superficial victory over drafting ultra-Orthodox The ultra-Orthodox leaders cry out in public against the new law requiring their enlistment in the army, but behind the scenes, they're discretely satisfied. Israel
Ultra-Orthodox draft law defuses Israel's 'existential threat' The ultra-Orthodox draft law proposes a gradual enlistment process, which will not lead to an equal sharing of the burden, but will help the ultra-Orthodox overcome the obstacles between them and the modern world. Israel
![Palestinian President Yasser Arafat attends a meeting in his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah July, 19, 2004. [Palestinian President Yasser Arafat sought on Monday to defuse a leadership crisis triggered by unprecedented unrest in the Gaza Strip over corruption within his government and security forces.] - RTXMS1N](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2014/02/RTXMS1N.jpg/RTXMS1N.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=VvJL4C5C)
