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
Upcoming Iraqi Kurdistan Elections Stir Up Controversy The presidential elections in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, scheduled for later this year, have hit a snag, with several parties unable to agree on important issues, reports Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
What Really Happened Between Netanyahu and Obama From confidential, well-placed sources, Ben Caspit discloses the arguments in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's chambers hidden behind friendly gestures in public during the US president’s visit. Palestine
Hamas’ Relationship with Qatar Widens Rift With West Bank Since Qatar has taken the initiative to play a greater regional role, especially regarding the Palestinian cause, many in the West Bank feel it seeks to undermine Fatah’s leadership, writes Hazem Balousha. Qatar
Iraqi Speaker: Maliki Could Resort To Military Force Against Opponents Iraqi Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi criticizes Baghdad’s support for Syrian President Assad's regime, and notes that Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki could resort to using military force against demonstrators. Iraq
Meshaal May Face Resistance In His Move Toward Openness Khaled Meshaal has been re-elected as Hamas’ leader, but as he tries to move toward more openness, he may face resistance from hard-liners inside the movement, writes Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
Hamas Friction Continues With UN Relief Agency The United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza faces increasing difficulty in carrying out its work, as the Hamas-led government claims some of its activities are not in line with the Strip’s Islamic culture and values, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Can Yachimovich Keep Her Job As Israel's Labor Party Leader? Sources within the Labor party told Mazal Mualem that an initiative is being kicked around to hold "lightning primaries," to bring an “end to the Yachimovich dictatorship era.” Israel
Erbil-Baghdad Relations Still Lack Substance Despite ongoing negotiations and talks between Iraq’s central government in Baghdad and the country’s Kurdistan region, reconciliation efforts still lack the substance necessary to bring about effective solutions, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
Promises of Reliable Electricity Offer Little Reassurance in Iraq The Iraqi government has pledged to provide the country with 24-hour electricity, heralding the end of years of energy blackouts, but doubts remain over the government’s ability to deliver on their promises, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Syria Civil War Causes Return Of Saudi Influence to Lebanon Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, there has been a resurgence in Saudi Arabian influence in Lebanon, as the desert kingdom attempts to fill the vacuum left by Syria, Nasser Chararah writes. Saudi Arabia
Obama's Lesson in Zionism During his visit to Israel, President Barack Obama reminded the world of the values of liberation and self-determination on which Zionism is based, writes Einat Wilf. Palestine
Israeli Apology Pushes Hamas Away From Turkey Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s apology to Turkish counterpart Erdogan over the Mavi Marmara incident has brought Turkey closer to Israel but pushed Hamas away, writes Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
