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 ‘Post-Democracy’ Nears Point of No Return Wael Nawara writes that Egypt’s political crisis could lead to chaos or the intervention of the military unless the government and opposition agree to work together. Egypt
Israel's Prime Minister Has Several Fronts to Worry About Warnings that Syria's chemical weapons may fall into the wrong hands are raising concerns in Israel of a regional conflict, writes Ben Caspit. Israel
Open Letter to Yaakov Peri: 'Don't Forsake Our Political Path' Akiva Eldar writes to his friend Yaakov Peri, calling upon the former head of Shin Beth and renowned peacemaker, not to forsake peace once he officially enters the Israeli parliament. Israel
Iran Cracks Down on Journalists Ahead of Elections Omid Memarian talks to reporters in Iran who escaped arrest about the most aggressive raid on independent media since 2009, and about attempts to sever contact with the outside world. Iran
Ben-Eliezer Slams Yachimovich For the Labor Party's Failure Veteran Knesset Member Binyamin (Fouad) Ben-Eliezer talks about his frustration and anger over the election results and the missed opportunities by Labor Party leader Shelly Yachimovich in a special interview with Mazal Mualem. Israel
Salafist Leader Goes SkiingTo Broaden Support in Lebanon Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir recently journeyed to the Lebanese resort of Faraya to go skiing in a public-relations effort to depict himself as part of a new generation of Salafist leaders and to broaden his base of support, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Turkey’s Syrian Dilemma Turkey is struggling with a Syria policy that has served only to prolong the conflict, as Ankara finds itself at odds with Paris over both Mali and Syria, writes Semih Idiz. Turkey
Turkish Opposition Party Criticizes Kurdish Initiative Turkish opposition leaders claim Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s talks with imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan lack transparency and a clear endgame, writes Tulin Daloglu. Turkey
Restoration of Iraqi Border Villages Allegedly Tied to Elections Plans to restore and repopulate Iraq’s border villages destroyed during its war with Iran have been met with accusations of electioneering from Kurdish politicians, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraqi Army Clashes With Protesters Spark Tribal Unrest Clashes between Sunni protesters and the Iraqi army in Fallujah in western Iraq have aggravated the demonstrations, with tribal leaders threatening retaliation, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Israel Cannot Count on Egypt To Deal with Hamas As Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi is preoccupied with the political crisis in Egypt, Israel should take the initiative in jump-starting talks with the Palestinians, writes Shlomi Eldar. Israel
15 Things Egypt Must Do To Step Back From the Brink Bassem Sabry recommends how Egypt can de-escalate the current crisis. Egypt
