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
The legacy of racism toward Mizrahi Jews The publication of the protocols of the riots in Wadi Salib, disclosing the racism of Israel’s founding generation toward the Mizrahi Jewish population, could have initiated a genuine debate. Israel
Syria war sparks Turkish Alawite anxiety The Syrian war has led Turkey’s Arab Alawites to embrace their Alawite and Arab identity. Turkey
Egyptian security forces abuse female detainees Young women, including students and mothers, are victims of physical and psychological abuse after being arrested and jailed by Egyptian security forces. Egypt
Israel waits for Egypt to deal with terrorists in Sinai Israel observes the rise in Salafist violence just over its border in Sinai with alarm and waits for Egypt to take the necessary action. Egypt
Chalabi: Anbar crisis sign of 'political failure' in Iraq In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Ahmed Chalabi shares his views on the upcoming elections, the economy and the de-Baathification law. Iraq
'Cash box’ crops up in Turkey’s Africa opening The revelation that official Turkish aid to Somalia was delivered in boxes full of cash has raised questions about Turkey’s Africa policies. Turkey
Netanyahu absent from Likud politics Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s repeated avoidance of the Likud Party's internal politics and his silence on the current public debates are adding to the confusion and suspicion that dominate the governing party. Israel
Iraqis welcome Interfaith Harmony Week As Iraq welcomed Interfaith Harmony Week at the beginning of February, there is a need to separate religion from state and reform school curricula in the country. Iraq
Lebanon’s new government based on mutual oversight After a governmental vacuum that lasted 11 months, Lebanese parties have finally formed a government based on Sunni and Shiite groups providing a supervisory role to the other, with Christians serving as mediators. Lebanon
US, Russia should agree on a 'secular' Syria The objective of a revived diplomatic process should be assuring a secular state, not necessarily Assad's departure. Syria
US, Iran need to contain war of words With talks beginning in Vienna on Feb. 18 , on a comprehensive nuclear agreement, rhetoric on both sides can make the already difficult compromises that much harder. Iran
Ocalan extends hand to Armenians Abdullah Ocalan, head of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), has written a letter that seems to turn a new page in the bitter Armenian-Kurdish relationship. Turkey
