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 long can Yemen's Houthi-Saleh alliance last? Houthis and former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh claim they have formed a government, but they can't necessarily convince the world, or even each other, in the long run to accept it. Saudi Arabia
Is regulating fatwas solution to extremism in Egypt? A parliamentary committee is currently reviewing a draft law that limits the issuance of fatwas to Al-Azhar and Dar Al-Ifta scholars and sheikhs, as a way to fight the spread of extremist thought. Egypt
Why Jordan thinks Baathists belong in Iraqi reconciliation Jordan is playing an important role as mediator in Iraq's national reconciliation efforts. Iraq
Will 'earth shaking' revelation bring down Netanyahu? The investigation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could have tremendous ramifications for the Israeli political landscape. Israel
Why Trump can’t save Israeli settlements Despite his harsh declarations, not even President-elect Donald Trump has the power to cancel the UN Security Council's resolution against the settlements or quiet the world’s objections to Israel’s policies. Palestine
What's in store at Paris peace conference? Three working groups for the Paris Middle East conference are preparing an incentive package for Israelis and Palestinians with the hope of enticing them to reopen negotiations. Palestine
Is Erdogan trying to wreck US-Turkey relations? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims he has “evidence” of US support for the Islamic State; Iranian President Hassan Rouhani applauds valuable “victory” in Aleppo. Syria
Bahrain shifts foreign policy with eye on Turkey Bahraini officials want to deepen their ties with Turkey as regional politics become more unstable. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt's protest law gets makeover The amendment to the 2013 Protest Law, which deems several articles contrary to the Egyptian Constitution, will not mean a significant change to those in prison or those wanting to protest. Egypt
Is Iraq turning into a drug-producing country? In a critical development, several plants for producing drugs have been found in Iraq’s cities. Iraq
International oil companies pull out of Kurdistan Giant oil companies are withdrawing from oil and gas exploration in Iraqi Kurdistan due to the drop in oil prices and contractual problems with the regional government. Iraq
Can Egypt’s security stop terrorist attacks by small groups? A series of assassinations and assassination attempts have been targeting Egypt’s security forces and were claimed by the newly established Hasm movement, which calls for the fall of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s regime. Egypt
