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
Subdued Ashoura in Iran's holy city of Mashhad This year there appeared to be a more subdued Ashoura to commemorate Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in Iran's holy city of Mashhad. Iran
Israel, Egypt, Gulf fear US betrayal Israel has become part of an unexpected alliance with the Gulf countries, Egypt and Jordan, all disappointed by the US administration's lack of Middle East understanding. Egypt
Turkey’s Alevi question The government of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking to heal old wounds with Turkey’s Alevi community, while stepping back from sectarian regional policies. Iraq
Kurds divided over Syrian autonomy The Democratic Union Party (PYD) is proceeding with its plans for a transitional government in the Kurdistan region of western Syria, despite the opposition of the Kurdish National Council and Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani. Iraq
Iran’s Twitter offensive Iran's Twitter blitz is designed to create the conditions for a nuclear deal with Iran. Israel
Libya slips into chaos Western governments have underestimated Libya's instability, according to the minister in the United Kingdom's Foreign Commonwealth Office responsible for the region. Libya
Netanyahu's coalition stable but paralyzed With personal aspirations and sectorial interests keeping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition together, no socioeconomic or diplomatic reform is on the horizon. Israel
Syrian government and opposition jockey ahead of Geneva II As preparations continue for the Geneva II conference, both the Syrian opposition and the regime seem increasingly divided over their respective positions on the talks. Syria
AKP, Gulen community in open war The war between the AKP and its former de facto partner, the Gulen community, is heating up amid reports of government plans to shut prep schools, a sector where Gulenists are hugely influential. Turkey
Turkey backing off support for jihadists on Syria border Turkey’s fading support for Syria’s jihadists is a boon for the PYD; Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu tells Al-Monitor Ankara never aided al-Qaeda-affiliated groups. Syria
Wife of Turkey Foreign Minister says women’s rights improving The Turkish Foreign Ministry sponsored an event on Monday to demonstrate concern about violence against women. Turkey
Israeli police neglect crime in Israeli Arab sector Israeli police dedicate vast resources to fight organized crime in central cities, but little effort fighting violence and crime in the Arab Israeli sector. Israel
