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
Nasiriyah tensions ease as pope heads to Iraq Iraq's Nasiriyah has been the scene of violent protests recently, but calm has settled over the city with the prime minister's efforts to calm it. Iraq
Biden under pressure to reverse Trump's aid cuts in Yemen The Joe Biden administration faces growing calls from Democratic lawmakers and aid groups to reinstate funding to Houthi-held northern Yemen. Yemen
Decree on election court removes one obstacle for Palestinian elections Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a presidential decree to establish an election court, but many analysts say several obstacles that could derail the elections remain. Palestine
Israelis blame ultra-Orthodox for coronavirus pandemic Many secular Israelis express hatred towards the ultra-Orthodox, whom they blame for the continuing coronavirus pandemic. Israel
Attorney general says cabinet must weigh in before Israel donates vaccines In a blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit recommended that the relevant ministers be consulted before any vaccines are donated to other countries. Israel
Iraq passes law addressing women survivors of Yazidi genocide The landmark bill formally recognizes the Yazidi genocide and the trauma of sexual violence, but the community still faces grave security concerns and missing men, women and children. Iraq
Turkey silent as US Khashoggi report emerges Ankara's silence following the declassification of a US intelligence report implicating the Saudi crown prince in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing speaks to its own contradictions on the issue. Saudi Arabia
Turkish politics has entered Clubhouse Clubhouse, an invite-only chat app, is connecting people around the world and providing a platform for muffled voices in Turkey. Turkey
Iran warns it could halt IAEA cooperation after US criticism Tehran has threatened to call off a recent deal with the United Nations' atomic watchdog that allows for limited inspections of Iran's nuclear facilities. Iran
Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army talks security with HTS in Idlib Sources in the Syrian opposition have revealed contacts between Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and some of the Turkish-allied Free Syrian Army factions on security of the areas under the control of the FSA. Syria
Despite international support, obstacles threaten Palestinian elections The Palestinian legislative elections face disputes and hurdles that could prevent the vote from being held. Palestine
Benny Gantz fighting for his political life Although officers who served with Benny Gantz — currently Israel's defense minister — when he was the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff are urging him to drop out of the upcoming March elections, the head of the Blue and White party is not about to surrender. Israel