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
One year into Palestinian uprising: What’s the status today? The popular uprising in the West Bank has significantly waned, but not disappeared, in recent months in the absence of organized political support. Palestine
Why Palestine's 'Merry Christmas people' are not so merry A Palestinian official caused an uproar when he described Palestinian Christians as the “Merry Christmas people.” Palestine
How Kurdish-Arab strife is hindering work of Syria's 'White Helmets' The negotiations for a new office of the Syrian Civil Defense in areas liberated by the Islamic State in Syria have been interrupted by major skirmishes between the Arab and Kurdish forces in these areas. Syria
Hamas hampering persistent press The Foreign Press Association accused Hamas of imposing restrictions on foreign journalists entering the Gaza Strip, which the government denied. Palestine
Has Netanyahu met his match? A recent poll showing Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid to be the strongest party in Israel is the talk of Israeli politics. Israel
Egyptian speaker accuses MPs of 'terrorizing' parliament A standoff erupted between House Speaker Ali Abdul Aal and members of the 25-30 bloc after bloc members objected to the value added tax law, saying it would "increase the burden on Egyptian citizens." Egypt
Turkey reaches critical crossroads in Syria Turkey has an important decision to make now that it has helped Free Syrian Army troops win a major battle for border control in northern Syria. Syria
Is Abdullah Ocalan key to peace between Turkey, PKK? Many Kurds believe Abdullah Ocalan holds the key to peace between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers Party, but does he retain the power to deliver? Syria
How US cash payments story played out in Iran While Washington’s $1.7 billion payment to Iran caused controversy in the US, it was a non-story in Iran. United States
Will Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalate in December? Both Israel and the Palestinians are using the period of international deadlock at the end of 2016 to consolidate their support bases instead of advancing dialogue initiatives. Palestine
Will Israelis living overseas gain right to vote? Israeli politicians from across the political map are advancing a law to allow Israeli expatriates, not just diplomats, to vote in absentia in Israel's elections. Israel
Does Iranian law green light encounters with US warships? The legal arguments underpinning US and Iranian views on the Law of the Sea should not be overlooked as tensions once again mount over the passage of US military vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. United States
