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
The Salafi-Brotherhood Feud in Egypt Khalil al-Anani writes about the tensions between the Salafi Nour Party and the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Barzani Plans to Host Summit As Iraqi Political Crisis Worsens Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani plans to host a summit of Iraq's political leaders as the country's political crisis worsens, writes Bushra Al Mudhafar. Iraq
Syrian Government Insists: No Conditions on Dialogue A Syrian official says Damascus is in principle open to dialogue, but not with preconditions, reports Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Hamas Leader Meshaal Pays 'Secretive' Visit to Turkey Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has quietly paid a visit to Ankara, raising new questions about Turkey's Middle East policies, writes Tulin Daloglu. Palestine
Mother of Palestinian Prisoners Lacks Faith in PA Leadership Linah Alsaafin speaks to the mother of four Palestinian detainees, a woman who refuses to give up hope even with "nonexistent" support from the Palestinian Authority officials to families of prisoners. Palestine
Maliki Wields 'De-Baathification' In Iraqi Power Struggle Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is facing accusations that he has been abusing the role of the Justice and Accountability Committee, using it only against opponents, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Libya's 'Political Isolation Law' Generates Controversy Libya's parliament is considering a bill that would categorize Libyans according to their roles during the regime of former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi. Libya
Tzipi Livni’s New Role Amounts to Sleight of Hand The great powers given to Hatenua leader Tzipi Livni in negotiations with the Palestinians are mere sleight of hand, writes Nadav Perry, since the chances for a diplomatic breakthrough are almost nonexistent. Israel
Turkish Parliament's Tuesday Meetings Raise Political Temperature Turkish parliamentary party meetings on Tuesdays are characterized by harsh language, writes Tulin Daloglu. Turkey
Bulgaria Tells Hamas MPs to Leave Following Bulgaria’s decision to expel visiting Hamas members of parliament, Western states will likely re-evaluate their relationship with the Islamist group, writes Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
Israel's Labor Unions Maintain Stranglehold on Economy Social justice in Israel won't be achieved as long as major labor unions hold monopolies, writes Idan Grinbaum. Israel
Rift Deepens Between Maliki and Iraqi Speaker The tensions between Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Iraqi parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi signal a deepening of sectarian and political divisions, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
