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
Is the Israeli Defense Ministry's new Arabic website a waste? Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman decided to spend 10 million shekels ($2.6 million) on a new website in Arabic that is supposed to spread messages to the Palestinians and the Arab world. Near East
Can election observers boost confidence among Palestinian voters? The Palestinian Central Elections Commission is registering local and international monitors for October's municipal elections, a move favored by the Palestinian factions in light of the Fatah-Hamas division. Palestine
Costs of Saudi economic failures show up in electric bills Saudis are complaining openly about their electricity bills that have doubled overnight, a dire sign for their economic future. Saudi Arabia
'Window closing' on US-Russia deal on Syria It seems increasingly unlikely that the United States and Russia will conclude a deal on Syria before US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in China on Sept. 4. Syria
Sahrawi protesters recount recent abuses The people of Western Sahara have been seeking independence for decades and still suffer for their efforts. Algeria
How Egypt plans to 'return to Africa' Egypt is hoping to re-establish ties with other African countries and remain active in the Horn of Africa, as it is a strategic border area. Egypt
What's next for Egypt's corruption battle following minister's resignation? Egyptian Minister of Supply Khaled Hanafy resigns amid a wheat scandal, but questions remain about official efforts to battle corruption. Egypt
Why is Turkey wasting its time arresting peace advocates? The arrest of renowned author Asli Erdogan on terrorism charges generates questions about Turkey's arbitrary use of emergency law. Turkey
Did US drag Turkey into 'Syrian quagmire'? The Turkish government remains defiant in the face of warnings from the US, but there are those who believe Ankara was forced into the Syrian quagmire by Washington. Syria
Iran officials behind 1980s executions defend decision Iranian officials involved in the executions of thousands of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq members in the 1980s are having to defend themselves publicly as the killings are back in the news. Iran
Will Palestine’s upcoming local elections be worth the cost? A lot of money is being poured into the local Palestinian elections, but some fear the funds will go to waste when the vote proves divisive and the results are contested. Palestine
Ethnic demons revived at eulogy for late Israeli defense minister Ugly comments about late Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer reflect some Labor Party members' long-held attitude toward leaders of Mizrahi origin. Palestine
