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
Iraqis Must Value Justice, Not Power In light of the escalating Iraqi crisis, the need for a legitimate judicial system and a culture of social justice is becoming ever more apparent, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
Will Kerry Convince Ankara on Syria? Semih Idiz writes that Ankara’s resistance to a negotiated outcome in Syria could lead to differences with Washington and perhaps to Turkey’s marginalization in efforts to end the war. Turkey
Iran Reacts Angrily to 'Argo' Oscar Tehran rejects depictions of Iranians in "Argo," which received the Academy Award for best picture, writes Saideh Jamshidi. Iran
'Argo' Oscar Spurs Ex-Hostages To Call For Sustained Iran Talks Bruce Laingen and John Limbert, who were hostages in Iran from 1979-81, say they hope the movie "Argo" will encourage diplomacy with Iran and not just dredge up old grievances. Iran
Israel's First Arab Soccer Superstar Tells His Story Rifaat Turk, Israel’s first Arab soccer superstar, who paved the way for dozens of Arab players, tells Shlomi Eldar about the racism and challenges he has faced. Israel
How Is Kurdistan Different From Palestine? Tulin Daloglu compares the statehood claims of Kurdistan and Palestine. Palestine
Israel Cannot Afford to Cut Benefits for Children Cutting already-low child benefits in Israel under the pretext of equal sharing of the economic burden is liable to cause irreparable damage, warns Idan Grinbaum. Israel
UAE Deports 125 Lebanese Citizens The UAE recently deported some 125 Lebanese citizens, as Lebanese Shiites also face harassment in Libya, reports an Al-Monitor Lebanon Pulse contributor. United Arab Emirates
Hamas Mulls Palestinian Elections Adnan Abu Amer considers the implications of a potential victory by Hamas in the forthcoming Palestinian elections. Palestine
What is Behind Increase In Sectarian Killings in Iraq? A recent spate of execution-style killings in Iraq has again brought into question the effectiveness of the Iraqi security services, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Offshore Gas Key to UK Interest In Lebanon In a bid to increase its political sway in the country, as well as take advantage of offshore gas reserves in Lebanese waters, the UK has sent its foreign secretary to meet with Lebanon’s prime minister, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
The Military Cannot Save Egypt Nervana Mahmoud weighs speculation about a military intervention in Egyptian politics. Egypt
