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
Israel's Shas Party at Crossroads The Shas Party has an opportunity to rekindle its traditional moderate vision of Judaism, writes Mazal Mualem. Israel
Hezbollah, Part 1: Origins and Challenges Mohammad Harfoush looks at Hezbollah, one of Lebanon’s most polarizing organizations, in part one of a survey of the factors that led to the movement's formation and its present status in Lebanese society and politics. Lebanon
Why Is Obama Rushing to Israel? It is hard to believe that the announcement of the US presidential visit to Israel isn't timed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's negotiations on a new government, writes Akiva Eldar. Palestine
Tunisians Protest Killing Of Opposition Leader Nafeesa Syeed reports on the political reactions and protests in response to the killing of opposition leader Chokri Belaid, head of the Democratic Patriots Party. [Updated Feb. 7] Tunisia
New Israeli Knesset Prepares for Political Battle Plenty of hugs and kisses were exchanged on the first day of the newly sworn-in Knesset, yet the gaiety will be short lived as the battles will soon commence, writes Mazal Mualem. Israel
Fatah-Hamas Reconciliation Would Be a Reset for PLO The PLO has gone through a number of changes throughout its history, and if Hamas and Fatah agree on a reconciliation deal, it'll be set for another revamp, Daoud Kuttab writes. Palestine
Obama's Post-Election Pivot on Syria Geoffrey Aronson describes the implications of President Barack Obama applying the "Congo Standard" for intervention in Syria. Syria
Obama’s Visit to Israel a Chance To Reset US-Israel Ties Ben Caspit writes that President Barack Obama's visit to Israel will remind Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that diplomacy between Israel and the Palestinians is still at the top of the US agenda. Palestine
Hezbollah Faces PressureAfter Bulgaria Indictment Ali Hashem examines responses in Lebanon and abroad to Bulgaria's accusations against Hezbollah for the Burgas bombing. Lebanon
Iraq's Constitutional Crisis Iraq has come far since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, but the country is still plagued by crises that are social as well as political in nature, writes Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Iraq
Erdogan on Brussels-Shanghai Pendulum Cengiz Çandar writes that it is fine for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to pursue membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, but not at the expense of EU membership. Turkey
Israel Boycotts UN Report On Settlements Akiva Eldar asks whether Israel’s continuous boycott of international investigation commissions really serves its best interests. Palestine
