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
Pentagon: Preemptive strikes on table to deter Iran in Iraq The Pentagon could make preemptive strikes to protect US forces and personnel in Iraq, top Pentagon officials said today. Iraq
US Embassy attack backfires on Iran-backed militias in Iraq The attack against the US Embassy in Baghdad by Iranian militias inside Iraq received no support from the Iraqi public and sparked much criticism against Iran, which led the militias to end the attack before achieving any of their goals. Iraq
Algerian cartoonist, other political detainees released to rejoin protests The Algerian government surprised lawyers and activists by suddenly releasing dozens of prisoners detained over protest activities. Algeria
New electoral law raises controversy in Iraq Some Iraqi political parties are complaining that the new elections law passed by the parliament is unfair and unworkable without a census; protesters — who essentially caused legislators to pass the law — also are dissatisfied. Iraq
Pro-Iranian militias behind US Embassy attack in Baghdad The attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad by Iran-backed militias has escalated the tension between Iran and the United States. Iraq
Iran's Rouhani under fire over 'peace time' promises Iran's hard-liners have opened a new front line against President Hassan Rouhani after he tried to justify the failure of campaign pledges he made before the current "war time." United States
Netanyahu boasts about Israel’s situation, ignores security negligence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boasts about Israel’s excellent economic and security situation, but the truth is that its urban spaces are exposed to attacks from the outside. Palestine
Censorship highlights role of alternative media outlets in Lebanese revolution Twitter has blocked the accounts of several Lebanese activists supporting the popular movement in what some believe is part of a systematic campaign against it. Lebanon
Hebron tribes oppose UN pact, 'suspicious' feminists Tribes in Hebron rejected the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and some threatened to shut down feminist organizations after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas set the minimum age for marriage at 18. Palestine
Hamas bets on Palestinians abroad to influence PNC elections Hamas has recently stepped up its visits to Palestinian camps abroad, raising questions about the purpose of these visits in light of preparations for Palestinian general elections. Palestine
How Ramallah is resolving electricity crisis The Ramallah-based government pledged to pay the Jerusalem District Electricity Company the monthly electricity bills on behalf of the refugees in 13 camps, in addition to their accumulated debt, in a step that would end the company's debt and increase hours of supply. Palestine
US position in Iraq in jeopardy after strikes American strikes inside Iraq after the Pentagon alleged an Iran-backed group attacked US forces there have caused more political turmoil for some 5,000 US troops sent to the country to fight the Islamic State. Iraq