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 Seeks to Ease Tension With Egypt Army Some Hamas officials have moved to calm tensions with Egypt's army, but not without heated internal debate. Palestine
Norwegian Diplomat in Israel Doubts Settlements Can Be Stopped After years of involvement in the Middle East, Norwegian Ambassador to Israel Svein Sevje is concerned that he is more worried about the future of Israel than Israelis are. Palestine
Is Syria War Additional Spark To Alevi Protests in Turkey? The war in Syria and the fallout from the Gezi Park demonstrations may be revealing a fault line in Turkish politics. Syria
Saudi National Day Masks Contradictions in Culture and Identity The power and pomp that will be on display on Saudi National Day on Sept. 23 will mask broader contradictions in the Kingdom’s national identity. Saudi Arabia
Iran’s Foreign Minister Backs US-Russia Plan for Syria Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif says that if there is a chance for peace in Syria, “we have to grab it.” Syria
Clerics Play Crucial Role In Iraq’s Sectarian Conflict As sectarian violence continues to plague Iraq, the government must focus on bringing together Sunni and Shiite preachers to reconcile their views and calm the tension among their followers. Iraq
Russia's Mideast Role A Plus for Palestinians Active Russian involvement in the Middle East will be welcomed by Palestinians, as they seek to counter Israel's hold on US policy. Palestine
US-Russia Agreement Gives Hope on Syria The US-Russian understanding on Syria presents a number of challenges but also positive opportunities. Lebanon
Is Jordan’s 'Arab Spring' Over? King Abdullah II seems to have weathered a storm, at least for now. Jordan
Twenty Years After the Oslo Accords! What Now? With the Oslo Accords, there is the illusion of negotiations. Palestine
Rouhani’s Central Asia Policies In Spotlight at SCO Summit Iran’s Central Asia policies under Iranian President Hassan Rouhani come into focus at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrzygstan. Iran
Egypt Should Preserve Unity Among Disparate Parties The Egyptian government needs some political panache. Egypt
