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
Settlement mayor: Renouncing Jordan Valley will destroy Likud Ma'ale Adumim settlement Mayor Benny Kasriel says, ''Anyone who'll concede the Jordan Valley will find himself out of the Likud Party.'' Palestine
Al-Qaeda benefits from unsettled Yemen politics Yemen’s Gulf Initiative, which gave President Ali Abdullah Saleh and many of his officers immunity in exchange for stepping down, has been followed by a rise in extremism. Yemen
Ruins of Gaza airport tell sad tale Twelve years have passed since Israel destroyed Gaza's international airport, and there's no hope it will be rehabilitated anytime soon. Palestine
Egypt’s missing political middle The answer to Egypt’s political crisis is for the middle class and the country's revolutionaries to build durable secular political alternatives. Egypt
Iraqi 'Ninth Studio' avoids TV's sectarian divide Although Iraqi media outlets gained some freedoms post-2003, in the past 10 years much of the country’s media has been highly sectarian, but a few outlets are challenging that stereotype. Iraq
New Saudi writers offer form of Islamic liberation theology A new generation of Saudi writers is blending Islam and global values for freedom and dignity in calling for reform. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan visit to Iran to address Syria, economic ties The visit of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Tehran will offer an opportunity to defuse tensions on Syria while expanding economic relations. Syria
Ya'alon blamed for neglecting Israelis living near Gaza Heads of localities in southern Israel near Gaza blame Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon for neglecting their security, following decision to cut back the defense budget despite the turmoil in the Sinai Peninsula. Palestine
Russia can't lose in oil deal with Iran Russia is seeking to expand trade ties with Iran and is angling to benefit from any lifting of international sanctions on Iran. Turkey
Brahimi saves his energy for Geneva III The Geneva II conference may not achieve even minor agreements, much less peace. Syria
Erdogan accuses TUSIAD chairman of treason Muharrem Yilmaz, chairman of the Turkish Industry and Business Association, had accused the prime minster of imposing tax penalties against political opponents. Turkey
Israel's separation fence accommodates settlers This week, the Israeli Supreme Court will hear a petition against the last portion of the separation fence, planned to cut through a unique ancient terrace landscape. Palestine
![A Russian supertanker is anchored by Neka oil terminal, 300 km north-east of [Tehran], during an inauguration ceremony of the first phase of an oil swap project with Iran's Caspian neighbours, April 29, 2004. [ Under the project Iran will take crude from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and transfer them through pipelines to refineries in the cities of Tehran and Tabriz.] - RTXMLA4](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2014/01/RTXMLA4.jpg/RTXMLA4.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=Ht0Xk3dl)
