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
Egypt takes hard line against student protests The Egyptian government continues to take tough measures against student protests, warning it will continue to use security forces to quell unrest in university campuses. Egypt
Popular Front's role wanes in Palestinian politics Once a high-profile Palestinian resistance movement, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is today a shadow of its former self. Palestine
Iranian hard-liners in parliament go after Rouhani’s team Hard-liners in parliament have become vocal critics of Rouhani's cabinet and have even begun the preliminary steps to have one minister impeached. UPDATED 12/10/13 Iran
Now is the time to engage Iran on human rights On International Human Rights Day, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, a former Maldivian foreign minister, is ready to work with the government of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani for the benefit of Iran’s citizens. Iran
Kurdish peace process is on knife edge — again Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) members kidnapped four Turkish soldiers on Sunday only to release them early Monday; this has caused people to question the progress of talks with PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Iraq
Netanyahu worries about US reset in region If Iran is no longer a diplomatic taboo, could Hamas and Hezbollah be next for Washington? Palestine
Egyptian youth activists need protest plan The broader Egyptian population is wary of more protests. Egypt
Kerry has reason for optimism on Israeli-Palestinian talks The US secretary of state's optimism over the Israeli-Palestinian talks is reasonable, considering their current goals: Right now, the sides are mapping out the points of disagreement, something they may well accomplish. Palestine
Omani rejection of GCC union adds insult to injury for Saudi Arabia The Omani stance may force the kingdom to pause in its regional policies. Saudi Arabia
Tattooed in Tehran Iranian officials are actively trying to stem the appeal of tattooing, which is illegal but increasingly popular among youths. Iran
Arab-Israeli peace academy honors Mandela's legacy Sharon Stone, Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, former Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Alaa and peace activist Uri Savir work together in the spirit of Nelson Mandela's legacy to promote a first-of-its-kind young leadership Arab-Israeli peace academy. Palestine
Is US letting down allies in Lebanon with Iran deal? There is a growing belief among traditional US allies in Lebanon that the recent Iranian nuclear deal will be at their expense. Saudi Arabia
