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
Israeli settlement leader says Paris initiative will 'die a slow death' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Oded Ravivi, head of the Efrat Regional Council, said that those supporting the French peace initiative are detached from the reality on the ground in the West Bank. Palestine
Turkish-EU ties in throes of a slow death The EU’s demand for a revision of Turkey’s anti-terrorism law as a precondition for allowing Turks visa-free travel in Europe has turned into the Achilles’ heel of ties between Ankara and Brussels. Turkey
Soleimani issues rare political statement on Bahrain The head of Iran’s Quds Force, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, condemned the decision by Bahrain to strip the citizenship of Shiite leader Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim. Bahrain
Egypt's Education Ministry rocked by high school cheating scandal As national high school exams in Egypt are canceled and others are disqualified, a freshman high school student boasted that he would continue leaking exams and answer sheets until the educational system is reformed. Egypt
Who’s really benefiting from Sinai’s state of emergency? Terrorists are turning the tables and making the most of curfews and restrictions in North Sinai. Egypt
Iranian economists worry about both Clinton and Trump Iranian economists aren’t terribly excited about the departure of US President Barack Obama. United States
How Turkish energy giant's plans to light up Iran could boost Rouhani The Belgium-based Turkish energy firm Unit International’s announcement that it will build seven natural gas-powered electricity production plants worth $4.2 billion in Iran could bring major benefits for the two countries. Turkey
Is Mohammed bin Salman gaining upper hand in Saudi Arabia? Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed's visit to Washington this month has some observers believing he might be the man behind all the major decisions in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Why Syria's Kurds are cooperating with Russia While the Syrian opposition accuses the Kurds of cooperating with the regime and Russia, the Kurds say they're doing so to fight the Islamic State. Syria
Poll: 65% of Palestinians want Abbas out A recent opinion poll showed that a majority of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip want President Mahmoud Abbas to resign, but the success of any elected replacement will be contingent on international approval. Palestine
Why this renowned Israeli artist wants his sculpture removed from Knesset Famous Israeli artist Dani Karavan suggests that if Culture Minister Miri Regev penalizes those who refuse to perform in the West Bank, artists should "present texts that tell the truth about bloodshed, racism, aggressiveness and injustice." Israel
Will retaliatory measures on Tel Aviv attackers' hometown curb violence? Following the Tel Aviv attack, Israel has completely isolated Yatta, the hometown of the perpetrators, under its policy of collective punishment. Palestine
