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, Israel develop unwritten understanding for coexistence Common interests have resulted in Israel and Hamas establishing channels of communication for cooperation. Palestine
Israel debates legalizing medical marijuana The Israeli medical community is debating the use of medical marijuana for veterans who suffer from lasting post-war trauma. Israel
Israel benefits from Hamas' decline Hamas finds itself in one of its lowest points ever, abandoned by Cairo, Tehran and Damascus and forced to keep a quiet border with Israel. Palestine
Turkey’s give and take with EU on visa policy Ankara has started uphill talks with the EU on visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in return for agreeing to take back immigrants who illegally enter the EU via Turkey. Turkey
Terrorism continues to shake Lebanon’s security The Salafist jihadist current has been on the rise in Lebanon as a result of the Syrian conflict. Lebanon
Alevi jitters worsen in Turkey Turkey’s Alevi community fears that the government’s ostracizing rhetoric and policies are encouraging discrimination and physical attacks. Turkey
Whatever happened to the Arab Spring? Three years on, the old Arab order remains and the democratic transition is still distant. Pan Arab
Attack on Hanan Ashrawi unfair Daoud Kuttab responds to Shlomi Eldar’s criticism of the PLO Executive Committee member, urging the Israeli columnist to address the occupation instead of attacking a Palestinian figure defending the rights of her people. Palestine
Hamas calls off anniversary celebrations Hamas has denied that the cancellation of its big anniversary celebration in the Gaza Strip is the result of declining popularity or financial problems. Palestine
Egypt pushes to keep politics out of soccer, sports The penalties given to Egyptian soccer star Ahmed Abd el-Zaher for making a political gesture during a match has sparked a debate about the role of politics in Egyptian sports. Egypt
Muslim Brotherhood's new TV channel unlikely to influence viewers Unless the broadcasters behind Rabaa TV can offer more than sarcasm and spin, viewers in Egypt are likely to lose interest. Egypt
Syrian Kurds jockey for seat at Geneva talks As long as the Assad regime and the opposition fail to come to an agreement, Syria’s Kurds will continue to consolidate their gains. Iraq
