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
IDF warns of escalating pressure in Gaza IDF officers are concerned that poverty, unemployment and an internal power struggle within Hamas might push the movement into a new military conflict with Israel. Palestine
What's next in Western Sahara dispute after death of Polisario leader? Late Polisario Front leader Mohamed Abdelaziz kept the dispute over Western Sahara peaceful, but a fruitless, 25-year-long cease-fire with Morocco has young Sahrawis impatient. Morocco
Why was hajj for Iranian pilgrims canceled this year? After failing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia, Iranians will be unable to attend the hajj pilgrimage this year. Saudi Arabia
Will Russian arms soon start flowing to Libya? Moscow reports that it's ready with military aid for Libya's unity government as soon as the arms embargo is lifted, but Tripoli must include Gen. Khalifa Hifter and the Libyan National Army in the political process for that to happen. Libya
Erdogan engineers his own conquest of Istanbul The 563rd celebration of Istanbul's conquest was overblown, much like the omnipresent pictures of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's head on giant posters. Turkey
Turkey faces multiple dilemmas in Syria Ankara’s Kurdish phobia underlies its inability to come up with realistic strategies that will also serve its own long-term security interests. Syria
Turkey's latest 'civilian coup' A civilian takeover of the top management of OYAK, a company owned by Turkish military personnel, has raised questions. Turkey
Is new Gaza war more probable with Liberman? With Avigdor Liberman joining the Netanyahu government, Palestinians feel desperate about a breakthrough in the political stalemate between the PA and Israel and anticipate a military escalation in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Opposition infighting gives Assad regime opening in Eastern Ghouta After clashes broke out in Eastern Ghouta, the Syrian regime exploited the situation to regain control of the Damascus suburbs. Syria
Claiming lack of building permits, Israel continues to demolish Palestinian homes While refusing to grant Palestinians building permits, the Israeli authorities have recently intensified their demolition operations targeting Palestinian homes, justifying their actions by claiming that these homes were built without permits. Palestine
Iran's 'marriage of convenience' with Taliban Experts say reports of an Iran-backed Taliban buffer zone in Afghanistan against the Islamic State are overstated but that Iran has had links with Taliban commanders for over a decade. Iran
Palestinians get ready for hard-line Liberman as defense minister The appointment of ultranationalist Avigdor Liberman as Israel's defense minister sparked outrage among Palestinians, who already regard President Benjamin Netanyahu's government as one of the most extreme in Israel’s history. Palestine
