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
No End in Sight for Iraq Oil Dispute Roxana Saberi reports from Erbil that Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, is calling for a solution to the Iraqi oil dispute, which is likely to prevent Iraq from reaching its goals. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Pressure Baghdad to Join ICC To expedite reconciliation for the Hussein-era Anfal Campaign, Kurds in Iraq are pushing Baghdad to join the International Criminal Court to prosecute the culprits of genocide against the Kurds, writes Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
Baghdad, Erbil Trade Accusations on Oil Payments Baghdad has accused the Kurdistan Regional Government of failing to pay Western companies for oil-extraction costs, further raising tensions between the two sides, writes Omar Shaher. Iraq
Lebanon Prepares for Gulf Tourists Amid Unstable Security Despite the unstable security situation prevailing in Lebanon, many Kuwaiti tourists plan to spend an official holiday in the country, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Abu Mazen Plays Neutral On West Bank Protests The Palestinian Authority has publicly supported the West Bank protests, but is keen to avoid spoiling US President Barack Obama's visit in March, writes Daoud Kuttab. Palestine
A Third Intifada Can Be Avoided Nadav Eyal writes that if a third intiada breaks out, it will have been the result of a lack of foresight and diplomacy. Palestine
Arens: Netanyahu Made A "Mistake" With Livni Former Defense Minister Moshe Arens, in an interview with Mazal Mualem, criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netantahu's decision to ask Tzipi Livni to join his government, while praising Netnayahu's handling of Iran. Palestine
Abu Mazen: The Strongest of Weak Leaders Abu Mazen is not a weak leader as so many tend to claim, Ben Caspit writes; it's Israel that's been suffering from weak leadership ever since the days of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Palestine
Israel Looks Inward The results of the Israeli election were all about nation building, and not peacemaking, writes Einat Wilf. Israel
Hamas and Israel Seek To Maintain Gaza Peace Months after the Egypt-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, both sides seek to maintain peace in Gaza for political and other motives, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Demand Grows for Third Party In Palestinian Elections Demand is growing among Palestinians for a third party as an alternative to both Hamas and Fatah, writes Asmaa al-Ghoul. Palestine
Lebanese Electoral Law Redresses Christian Rights The proposed electoral law should allow Christian parties to have a greater say in Lebanese politics, writes Scarlett Haddad. Saudi Arabia
![Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Arens and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a news conference in Tel Aviv February 28. Arens said fighter planes had already raided key Hizbollah targets in Lebanon. The Israeli assault came in response to a roadside bomb that went off near an Israeli convoy in the south Lebanon occupation zone killing [Brigadier-General Erez Gerstein,] and a Radio Journalist and two soldiers.
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