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
Egypt's 'Spoilers' Threaten Democracy Omar Ashour writes on the necessity to contain "spoilers" — the disaffected political forces that are threatening Egypt’s democratization. Palestine
Bad Timing: Israel Allows Oil Exploration in Golan Akiva Eldar writes that the decision to allow a US energy company to explore for oil in the Golan is not meant to antagonize President Obama in advance of his visit to Israel, but a sign that Israel considers the Golan an integral part of the state. Israel
Mystery Over Turkish Bid for Shanghai Five Membership Turkey’s membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization would not only fail to make any contribution to Turkish democracy, but might be a setback to recent progress, writes Kadri Gursel. Turkey
The Israel-Hezbollah Shadow War Israel and Hezbollah prefer a shadow war of terror and assassination rather than disturbing the uneasy truce on the Israel-Lebanon border, writes Ali Hashem. Israel
Barakeh: Arab-Israelis A Faceless Entity Knesset member Mohammad Barakeh, leader of the bi-national party Hadash, explains to Mazal Mualem why the most social justice-oriented party in Israel did not benefit from the fruits of Israel’s social-protest movement, and points an accusing finger at the government and the media for ignoring Israel's Arab citizens. Palestine
Abu Mazen Tries to Calm The West Bank The West Bank is seeing a new spike in protests and violence, but Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) still offers the best hope to avoid a third intifada, writes Shlomi Eldar. Palestine
Israel Ramps Up Demolition Of Palestinian Homes Israel has intensified its demolition push in East Jerusalem to support development of a "Greater Jerusalem," reports Dalia Hatuqa. Palestine
Egypt’s Culture of Violence Violence has quickly become the norm at protests in Egypt, and is being deployed by both the Islamist government and opposition, Sarah el-Sirgany reports. Egypt
Netanyahu's Many Roles Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proven he can appeal to many audiences, and may consider Hatneua Leader Tzipi Livni as his bridge to the international community if he is able to form the next government, writes Ben Caspit. Israel
Iran's Foreign Envoy Slams Turkish Media Outgoing Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Bahman Hosseinpour accuses the Turkish media of ulterior motives in spoiling the relations between two countries, writes Tulin Daloglu. Turkey
Can The Political Crisis In Egypt Actually Be Resolved? Bassem Sabry outlines the program for a political dialogue in Egypt, but the steps required would involve compromises by both President Mohammed Morsi and the opposition. Egypt
Mauritanian Civil-Society Groups Combat Islamist Threat A widespread campaign is being launched in Mauritania by civil-society organizations to combat the growing threat from Islamic fundamentalism, writes Kaci Racelma. Mauritania
