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 Revolution, Two Years On Bassem Sabry analyzes Egypt’s progress on the two-year anniversary of the revolution that led to the removal of Hosni Mubarak from power. Egypt
Whispers of Change In Turkey's Syria Policy Tulin Daloglu reports on how, beneath the rhetoric of Turkey's hard line on Syria, there are signs that Ankara might be willing to call on Syria's opposition to show greater flexibility in dealing with the Syrian government. Syria
Turkey Seeks 'Interdependence' With Iraqi Kurdistan Turkish officials seek to set the record straight that Ankara seeks interdependence with, not independence for, Iraqi Kurdistan, writes Tulin Daloglu. Iraq
Israel's Elections Linked to Its Arab Policies Historically, there has been a close relationship between Knesset elections and the way in which Israel has conducted its regional foreign policy towards the Arabs, writes Jean Aziz. Israel
Israel Keeps Palestinian Authority on Life Support Adnan Abu Amer examines Israel's attitudes and policies toward the Palestinian Authority, and its interest in keeping the PA weakened but alive. Palestine
Obama Speech Suggests Modest Foreign Agenda for Second Term Judging from his comments in his second inaugural address, Barack Obama’s foreign policy over the next four years will not be particularly ambitious, including in the Middle East. Israel
The Unnatural Alliance Of Likud-Beiteinu The merger of the Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu parties seems an uneasy fit, writes Lily Galili. Israel
Iran Strengthens Ties To Palestinian Islamic Jihad Iran has deepened its relationship with Islamic Jihad while maintaining good ties with Hamas, writes Abeer Ayyoub. Palestine
Hamas Budget a Small Step Toward Transparency The Hamas government’s publication of a budget is encouraging, yet only a small step on the road to achieving an acceptable level of transparency, competence and professionalism, writes Omar Shaban. Palestine
Iraqi Government Seeks Control Over Central Bank Some speculate that the deputy governor of Iraq’s central bank’s arrest for embezzlement is an attempt by the government to expand its control of the financial body, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Endure Seven Years Of Waiting for New Constitution Negotiations continue on a draft new constitution for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq which would have the president be selected by the parliament, rather than directly elected by the people, reports Abdel Hamid Zebari. Iraq
US Spared Hard Choices in Egypt Geoffrey Aronson analyzes how Washington can best manage US-Egypt relations given the challenges of dealing with President Mohammed Morsi’s government. Egypt
