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
Will 'conservative' justices deliver for the Israeli right? Right-wing Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's declarations of victory in getting conservatives appointed to the Supreme Court might be premature. Israel
How state report on Israel’s Gaza war will impact Netanyahu The Israeli state comptroller's report on the 2014 Gaza War criticizes the decision-making process overseen by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon. Israel
Despite tough talk, US unlikely to take on Iranian forces in Iraq The new US administration has adopted strict stances toward Iran, but any military clash between the United States and the factions Iran supports in Iraq would only increase Iranian influence. Iraq
Are Israel's border police blocking entry of human rights activists? Human rights organizations claim that Israel’s border police prevent the entry of activists who are critical of the government's occupation policy. Israel
Rift widens between Egyptian president, Al-Azhar Tensions have emerged in the relationship between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Al-Azhar, with the former promoting reform that the latter finds unacceptable, rejecting governmental influence on religion. Egypt
Iran pulls Palestine from the margins The Iranian leadership turns out in force for Palestinian conference; Turkey’s victory in al-Bab may be a prelude to a showdown with the Syrian Kurds. Palestine
Why Iran wants Palestine back on regional agenda Iran hosts a conference in support of the Palestinian intifada as it seeks to put the Palestinian cause back at the top of its regional agenda. Saudi Arabia
Female preachers officially find their way to Egypt's pulpits In a groundbreaking move, Egypt's Ministry of Religious Endowments has appointed 144 female preachers to deliver sermons to all-female congregations. Egypt
'Spying imams' spark new crisis between Europe, Turkey Because of accusations of espionage, Turkey had to recall religious attaches and official imams from several European countries. Turkey
Is Iran-Turkey tension intentional? Turkey, while seeking to access Gulf funds and boost its defense industry exports, has risked economic relations with Iran — but the risk could also hold opportunity. Turkey
Shiite political differences widen gap between Najaf, Qom The political differences between Qom and Najaf clerics indicate a sharp conflict between the two schools after Ali al-Sistani, whose death will create a broad vacuum in the Shiite scene. Iraq
Egyptian fish return to Gaza's markets Tons of fish entered the Gaza Strip through the crossings and tunnels from Egypt, allowing medium- and low-income consumers to buy species that are usually consumed by the rich, as they are so scarce in the Gaza sea. Palestine
