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
Beirut blast a lesson in terrorism The perpetrators of the Iranian Embassy bombing in Beirut carefully crafted the attack to cause maximum physical and psychological damage. Lebanon
Palestinians fight Israeli attempts to claim Bethlehem Palestine is resisting Israeli attempts to appropriate Bethlehem as the peak Christmas tourism season approaches. Palestine
Iran’s diplomatic surge extends to Gulf Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is considering an invitation from Bahrain to attend the IISS Manama Dialogue Regional Security Summit, as UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan visits Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Negotiators must treat Israeli settlements as barriers to peace David Makovsky, the newest member of the US secretary of state's negotiating team, must realize that the settlement enterprise remains an "intentional, clear and winning" Israeli policy. Palestine
US, Iranian influence evolves in Iraq After the Geneva breakthrough on Iran’s nuclear program and the potential for a US-Iran entente, it is worth looking at the role both sides play in an ever-turbulent Iraq. Iraq
Israeli media miscasts Hebron clashes The Israeli media has painted a recent confrontation in Hebron as the result of growing radical Islamism in the West Bank despite the lack of evidence for such a cause. Palestine
Egypt’s civil parties prepare for upcoming elections Following Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmi’s announcement that parliamentary elections will be held early next year, Egypt’s civil parties are holding discussions aimed at forming alliances to guarantee electoral success. Egypt
Islamic Jihad accuses Palestinian Authority of collusion with Israel In the aftermath of a security sweep, Islamic Jihad leaders in the West Bank say the Palestinian Authority is working with Israel to crack down on its activities in Jenin. Palestine
Iranians want more than a nuclear deal While most Iranians were excited about the nuclear deal, many hoped that it would be the first step of bringing normalcy and stability back to their lives. Iran
Turkey's constitution commission keeps working Although the Turkish Constitution Reconciliation Commission has stalled in writing a new constitution, no political parties are eager to announce its end. Turkey
Egypt’s new government repeats its predecessor's mistakes The transitional government cannot count on the endless patience of Egypt’s public while insisting on repeating the same mistakes which ended its predecessors' reign. Egypt
Activists detained protesting outside Egypt Shura Council While the president-appointed committee met to prepare the new Egyptian Constitution, activists protested outside their meeting, only to be harassed and detained by security forces. Egypt
