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
Fatah leader speaks out on Abbas' exclusive congress In an interview with Al-Monitor, Abdel-Hakim Awad, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council who was excluded from the movement's seventh congress, talks about Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' political failures, his exclusionary policies and his collusion with Israel. Palestine
EU court decision may escalate tension with Morocco Europe's highest court ruled Dec. 21 that trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco do not apply to Western Sahara. Morocco
Would Putin accept Turkish buffer zone in Syria? Heavy casualties at al-Bab and the recently released video of IS' burning alive of two Turkish soldiers have not affected Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield. Syria
Christmas brings hope for peace for Aleppo’s Christians Christians part of region’s DNA, said incoming UN secretary-general; Turkey’s “impossible war”; Erdogan backers blame Iran for Aleppo. Egypt
How Russia views Ankara envoy's assassination Following the assassination of the Russian ambassador to Turkey, Russia’s political and expert communities are mulling over potential masterminds behind the assassination and what responses Moscow has at its disposal. Turkey
KRG PM: Talk of Iraqi Kurdish independence red line for Iran, but not Turkey In an extensive interview with Al-Monitor at his office in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani speaks about the battle for Mosul, relations with Baghdad and Ankara, and aspirations for independence. Iraq
How these Bedouin in Israel are working to save their village After 107 demolitions, the residents of al-Araqib are gaining international attention through a social media campaign. Israel
Why is Israel allowing armored jeeps into the West Bank? After a four-year ban, Israel has now agreed to allow the Palestinian Authority to import armored vehicles in light of the deteriorating internal security situation in the West Bank, which worries the PA. Palestine
Obama administration allows Americans to train Iranians New regulations unveiled Dec. 22 allow drug, medical device and agricultural experts to travel to Iran. United States
Did Zarif really say it was a 'mistake' to trust Kerry? Once again, Iranian hard-liners move to tarnish the reputation of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif — this time by attributing to him false remarks about the “mistake” of trusting the United States. United States
Erdogan claims Turkey in 'greatest struggle' since independence In his latest speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan invoked a traumatic memory for Turks, the Treaty of Sevres, in a move calculated to appeal to his nationalist supporters. Syria
Why Ankara now feels vulnerable to Russia The assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara has engaged Turkey to the Russian option in Syria, while Russia sees it as an opportunity to create an alternative axis in the Middle East Syria
