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
Hamas isolated as Iran boosts ties with Islamic Jihad, Fatah A high-level Islamic Jihad delegation visited Iran one week after a senior Fatah official made a similar trip, leaving Hamas isolated. Palestine
Iraqi election commission in spotlight Although the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq has established itself as a relatively credible and transparent organization, there are concerns that the upcoming parliamentary elections could be plagued by fraud. Iraq
The political roots of the Anbar crisis The current crisis in Iraq’s Anbar province can only be solved through a political solution. Iraq
Controversy surrounds alleged Iraq-Iran arms deal An Iraqi diplomat has been reported as claiming that Baghdad will sign an arms deal with Iran, but other officials from both sides refute his alleged assertions. Iraq
Poverty rates on the rise in Iraq The security crisis in Anbar and the crisis in governance have contributed to a declining Iraqi economy. Iraq
Energy reserves add new twist to Cyprus talks The negotiations over the future of Cyprus are linked to energy reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean. Israel
Israeli security chiefs modify assessment on Syrian war The Israel Defense Forces estimate that the Syrian war may last a decade, ending with Syria being divided into several cantons, with jihadist forces on the Israeli border and Hezbollah gaining in military experience. Israel
Labor's Herzog demands Palestinian recognition of Israel as Jewish state Statements by opposition leader Isaac Herzog supporting the demand that the Palestinians recognize Israel as a Jewish state might pave his way into Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but be detrimental to negotiations. Palestine
Russian wives in Gaza long for home Integration is difficult for the many women from the former Soviet republics who have settled in Gaza with their Palestinian husbands. Palestine
Syria sends diplomats to Geneva, fighters to Yabrud The fighting may intensify around Yabrud as the second round of negotiations in Geneva commence. Syria
Israeli foreign minister shifts to center With perhaps an eye on a future run for prime minister, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman is establishing himself as a key player in US-Iran relations and in any eventual agreement with the Palestinians. Palestine
Hamas deploys border patrol to prevent rocket attacks on Israel A recent round of rocket fire from Gaza and IDF air strikes was followed by an exchange of messages between the two sides and reaffirmation of a commitment by Hamas to try to prevent future rocket fire. Palestine
