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
Iranian Kurds disappointed with Rouhani Some Reformist Kurds in Iran had hoped to have a Kurdish representative as governor for their region. Iran
How long can Lebanon’s private sector bail out government? Despite the mismanagement and corruption in the Lebanese government, the country’s economy has not collapsed yet because of its private sector and foreign remittances, but that situation may not last long. Lebanon
Divided Iraqi leaders shirk responsibility With each successive outbreak of violence or natural disaster, Iraqi leaders, particularly Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, continue to point the finger of blame at their opponents. Iraq
Nasrallah warns of consequences of Sidon violence In a speech on Dec. 20, Hassan Nasrallah warned of the grave implications an increasingly volatile Sidon could have for the whole of Lebanon. Lebanon
Yemen wastes time Yemen's National Dialogue is hindered by a lack of accountability and effective time management. Yemen
Erdogan goes on offense against corruption charges The government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims a foreign plot is behind the corruption charges. Turkey
Saudi Arabia moving ahead with Gulf union Opposition from Oman will not deter Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from seeking strength in GCC unity. Saudi Arabia
Turkish academia and the Armenian genocide Turkish newspapers have exposed attempts by official institutions to control academic research on the Armenian genocide. Turkey
Iran, Saudi Arabia key to Syria peace conference The Islamic Front snubs US Ambassador Robert Ford; Turkey rocked by scandal; reactions to the American Studies Association vote to boycott academic exchanges with Israel. Saudi Arabia
New Syrian Kurdish media find their voices Syrian Kurds have their own newspapers and radio stations, but are beset by familiar political challenges. Iraq
Netanyahu: Israel's master politician Opponents of the prime minister admit that contrary to his image of being inclined to panic, he has survived serious coalition conflicts and has a chance to achieve something with his leadership. Palestine
Yemeni national dialogue needs jump-start Innovation and fresh thinking are required to pull Yemen out of its current national impasse. Yemen
