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
Why Hezbollah won't open all-out front against Israel Israel's arrest of activists recruited by Hezbollah through Facebook reflects the organization's current strategy of encouraging attacks in Israel orchestrated from afar. Israel
US says Russian use of Iran base unhelpful but won’t derail Syria talks The United States said Russia’s use of an Iranian air base to fly long-range bombers to conduct airstrikes in Syria was unhelpful, but would not derail negotiations to reach a deal on Syria. Russia
Egypt’s Dar al-Kiswah — a monument turned into a dump After Egypt stopped producing the Kaaba’s kiswah in 1961, the centuries-old site of production now lies in a state of utter neglect amid calls for renovation by nearby residents and experts. Saudi Arabia
Iran official: Moscow and Tehran are in 'strategic cooperation' The secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council said that Russia’s use of Iran’s air base is a sign of further cooperation rather than an exceptional situation. Iraq
Turkey, Iran rekindle courtship but take things slow Ankara appreciates Iran’s position regarding the failed coup attempt in Turkey, but talk of a strategic "axis" between the two countries appears premature. Turkey
Putin gets big kiss-and-make-up gift from Erdogan As part of fence-mending efforts with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged a special status with huge financial boons for the nuclear plant the Russians are building in Turkey. Turkey
Will road to Moscow lead Ankara to Damascus? Turkey has reportedly resorted to the same track II diplomacy to Damascus that it used to reconcile with Moscow. Syria
Will Palestinian municipal elections increase tension with Israel? Israel might be confronted in October with a new reality, where Hamas takes over some West Bank municipalities. Palestine
Division among Iraq's Shabak minority reveals Kurdish-Arab land rivalry Minorities in Iraq's Ninevah plains are stuck between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government based in Erbil, which are competing for their lands. Iraq
Will Palestinian beach soccer team make it to Vietnam? The Palestinian Football Association is working with FIFA to promote beach soccer in Gaza by organizing championship tournaments in the Gaza Strip, although the athletes hold out little hope of competing abroad. Palestine
How art is bringing Gaza, West Bank together For the first time, the Palestine International Festival for Dance and Music was held in both Gaza and the West Bank. Palestine
Why Israel won't admit success of nuke agreement The Israeli government can't admit that the nuclear agreement with Iran is being successfully implemented or Israel itself might have to face similar requirements. Israel
