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
Clinton and Trump going all in as Election Day nears With less than 10 days until Election Day, both major party nominees are campaigning hard in battleground states. United States
Will populists sideline liberals in Israel's Likud? Three Likud ministers advance equal rights for the Israeli-Arab population, whereas other ministers and many Knesset members opt for a populist, discriminating discourse. Israel
Former political prisoner speaks out on Egypt's jails In regard to treatment of prisoners in Egypt’s jails, political activist and lawyer Mahienour el-Massry tells Al-Monitor, “Things in prison don't go according to the law. Rather, they go according to the practice of the prison commissioner.” Egypt
Deciphering Ankara's Middle East policy A mix of traditional Turkish fears and the Justice and Development Party's political ambitions has come to shape Turkey’s regional policies, especially in Syria and Iraq. Turkey
New UN secretary-general considers special mission to Palestine New UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will present innovative and proactive ideas for the United Nations to deepen its involvement in advancing the two-state solution. Palestine
Is rapprochement underway between Palestinian rivals Dahlan, Hamas? Palestinians are divided over the motives behind recent coordination between Hamas and dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan. Palestine
Vital Palestinian private sector not getting necessary foreign aid A recent study found that despite the significant role foreign aid plays in the Palestinian economy, the private sector is not receiving the support it deserves. Palestine
Who will liberate Raqqa? The United States says a military operation to isolate the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa needs to get underway within weeks, but Turkey as well as Washington’s Syrian Arab allies oppose any plan to use Kurdish forces to take the city. Iraq
How Egyptians are responding to soaring costs A campaign to lower food prices for Egyptians has good intentions, but economic experts say it will have no lasting impact. Egypt
Why Reformists have no choice but to back Rouhani Despite the discontent among his key Reformist backers, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani seems set for another term — if only because of a lack of options. Iran
The main reason Rouhani replaced three of his ministers There are many reasons for the Iranian president’s decision to reshuffle his Cabinet, but none outweigh his drive to cement his chances for a second term in next year’s election. Iran
Will Iran allow the EU to open shop in Tehran? Iranian politicians are divided on the new EU Parliament resolution that favors normalization of ties with Iran. Iran
