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
Obama in Israel: Worth The Wait President Barack Obama knew what buttons to push during his visit to Israel, though his real task is not to preach to the converted, as he did in his “Jerusalem speech,” but to convince the skeptics, writes Ben Caspit. Israel
Obama Gets Mixed Reception On Visit to Ramallah With no clear peace initiatives to push, US President Barack Obama has received a mixed reception on his visit to Israel and the West Bank from Palestinians, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Palestinians Erect Tent Village During Obama Visit As the US president backtracks on earlier statements on settlements, Palestinians resort to nonviolent resistance to reclaim land and draw attention to their plight, writes Dalia Hatuqa. Palestine
Gazans Unmoved by Obama Visit Gaza's Palestinians have expressed mostly pessimism and frustration in response to US President Barack Obama's visit, reports Mohammed Suliman. Palestine
Palestinians Hope Obama’s Words Mean Action Daoud Kuttab writes that, for Palestinians, what matters is not just what was said, but more importantly what happens next. Palestine
Obama Makes His Case for Israel To Resume Peace Efforts President Barack Obama appealed directly to the Israeli people to recognize that settlements in occupied territory hurt peace prospects, Akiva Eldar reports. Palestine
Dahlan Case Shows Split In Palestinian Fatah Movement The dispute over the immunity of Fatah-affiliated MP Mohamed Dahlan has revealed rifts between members of the Fatah Movement, writes Naela Khalil. Palestine
Beirutis on Edge Over Sectarian Tensions Following the assault of four Sunni sheikhs in a suburb of Beirut on March 17, the city’s residents express their concerns over what appears to be re-emerging sectarian tensions, reports Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Why Obama Didn't Leave a Wreath On Arafat’s Grave Shlomi Eldar responds to Daoud Kuttab’s call to President Barack Obama to leave a wreath on Yasser Arafat’s grave. Palestine
Muslim Brotherhood Holds Sway Over Syrian Opposition Ghassan Hitto’s appointment as Syrian interim prime minister by the opposition coalition may be an attempt by Syria’s Muslim Brotherhood, Qatar and Turkey to derail Moaz al-Khatib’s dialogue initiative, writes Hassan Hassan. Syria
Netanyahu Woos Allies on Right For Possible Peace Push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is giving important jobs to the far-right wing of his party's Knesset members, perhaps to soften them up for diplomatic engagement with the Palestinians, Mazal Mualem suggests. Israel
Iranians Mixed on Candidacy Of Khatami Susan Modaress reports from Tehran on reactions to a possible run by former President Mohammad Khatami in the June presidential elections. Iran
