News:
Pres. Obama [1] says PM Netanyahu's [2] efforts [3] to clarify pre-election statements [4] are not advancing the prospects of a two-state solution [5]. (AP/Washington Post/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Netanyahu will be asked [6] by Pres. Rivlin to to form a new coalition government. (Reuters)
Pres. Abbas [7] meets with a delegation [8] from the Joint List in Ramallah [9]. (Ma’an/JTA/Jerusalem Post)
An Israeli pollster says Netanyahu’s “Arab droves” warning [10] may have been decisive in his victory. (Times of Israel)
Algeria will contribute $52.8 million [11] to the PA's March budget. (Ma’an)
Germany’s parliament [12] is set to vote on recognizing Palestine. (Times of Israel)
PM Hamdallah arrives in Gaza [13]. (PNN)
Israel is reportedly freezing [14] the construction of 1,500 housing units [15] in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa. (JTA/Times of Israel)
The EU condemns Israel's failure [16] to meet its obligations to Palestinians in Area C. (Ma’an)
Israeli occupation forces detain six Palestinians [17] across the West Bank. (Ma’an)
Jeb Bush says he disagrees [18] with critical comments made by former Sec. Baker on Israel. (JTA)
Amb. Dermer is courting congressional Democrats [19] after discord between the countries’ leaders, but is still working against a nuclear deal with Iran. (New York Times)
Moderate Syrian rebels [20] seize the historic town of Busra Sham [21] from government forces. (Reuters/AP)
Houthis seize a key Yemeni air base [22] and appear poised to capture the southern port of Aden. (Reuters)
Yemen’s FM calls for Arab military intervention [23] against advancing Shiite rebels. (AP)
American officials say Saudi Arabia is moving military equipment [24] near its Yemen border. (The National)
The New York Times looks at the unfolding unrest in Yemen [25]. (New York Times)
FM Zarif says Iran will insist that all sanctions [26] against it are lifted as a condition for a nuclear deal. (Reuters)
In the P5+1 talks, Iran is reportedly seeking to avoid specifics [27]. (New York Times)
Commentary:
Rami Khouri [28] says the US must embrace the Arab Peace Initiative. (Daily Star)
Ghassan Khatib [29] says Israel’s right-wing governments have created a status quo that is comfortable for Israel but brutal for the Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)
Osama Al Sharif [30] says Netanyahu’s victory in the elections was probably a much-needed wake-up call for those who still believed in a two-state solution. (Jordan Times)
Avi Issacharoff [31] says Qatar is trying to broker to a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. (Times of Israel)
Ha’aretz [32] says Netanyahu’s apology to Palestinian citizens of Israel is not enough. (Ha’aretz)
Nahum Barnea [33] says Netanyahu’s apology to Palestinian citizens of Israel was directed at the Obama administration, European governments and Jewish Americans. (Ynet)
Steven Klein [34] explains why Israelis re-elected Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)
Ben Caspit [35] looks at Netanyahu’s post-election amends. (Al-Monitor)
Raphael Ahren [36] says without US cover at the UN, Israel could face a “diplomatic avalanche.” (Times of Israel)
The Washington Post [37] says the US is needed on Iraq’s front lines. (Washington Post)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [38] profiles Iranian Gen. Soleimani. (Al Arabiya)
The National [39] says the Gulf should keep all options open regarding Yemen. (The National)
Mshari al-Zaydi [40] says Yemen’s crisis poses a problem for the whole world. (Asharq al-Awsat)
David Crist [41] asks if Iran and the US can use the nuclear deal to mend ties and build a new order in the Middle East. (Foreign Policy)