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
How Iran’s 'justice shares' impede state divestment from the economy The Iranian government’s "justice share" scheme has impeded divestment of state involvement in the economy, further complicating efforts to institute genuine privatization. Iran
Istanbul on brink of bankruptcy Turkish President Erdogan has repeatedly said, “If we lose Istanbul, we lose Turkey,” but he indeed may have lost it electorally and in terms of financial accountability. Turkey
Local election results will complicate Turkey’s security choices Despite electoral losses suffered by the alliance led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the nationalists in that alliance were able to improve their standing, which will surely affect Erdogan's future security choices. Turkey
As US peace plan rollout approaches, Palestinians voice rejection Even before the long-touted US Middle East peace plan is announced, Palestinian officials have already rejected the deal, saying it will inevitably favor Israel. Palestine
Iran stumping for support among Iraqi tribal sheikhs Top Iranian officials have been traveling to Iraq to woo tribal leaders and build influence there. Iraq
Has the clock run out for Netanyahu? Many factors will help determine the outcome of Israeli elections, including general apathy and whether voters feel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has overstayed his welcome. Israel
Where did Israeli-Russian vote go? Several parties estimate that the “million” immigrants from Russia have been living in Israel long enough to adopt the voting patterns of the general public. Israel
New government stresses unity, yet ostracizes Hamas Palestinian prime minister-designate Mohammad Shtayyeh is gearing up to form and head a new Palestinian government after having met with different factions. Will he be able to pull it off? Palestine
Mismanaged energy sector destroys viability of Jordan's industrial businesses Business owners in Jordan are calling on the government to adopt long-term strategies to reform the energy sector that is threatening their survival. Jordan
Russia expands ties in Lebanon’s oil, gas sector Russia has gotten a huge head start on the United States in gaining access to Lebanon’s oil and gas sector, allowing Moscow to continue to strengthen its economic position across the Middle East. Israel
A political storm called Gantz Polls indicate that Blue and White leader Benny Gantz is getting closer and closer to toppling Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the April 9 elections. Can he make it? Israel
Far-right candidate threatens parties across Israeli political spectrum Former militant right-wing ideologue Moshe Feiglin has reinvented himself and with support from both the right and the left, could hold the key to Israel's upcoming coalition negotiations. Israel