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
Last year's disaster offers Saudis excuse to clamp down on hajj The Saudi Interior Ministry is doing everything it can to keep this year's hajj season tragedy-free — including, conveniently, shutting out Iranian pilgrims over visa problems. Saudi Arabia
Will new agreement lead to increase in Palestinian exports? A new Palestinian-Jordanian agreement will allow the export of goods in small containers to Jordan for the first time ever, which Palestinians hope will increase their global exports. Palestine
Israeli legal plan for settlements raises red flag in West Bank Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's intention to apply Israeli laws to Jews living West Bank settlements raised the ire of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Israeli officials, diplomats free to speak Netanyahu's mind When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli military officers can express themselves ''in the relevant forums,'' it seems he was really saying that senior officials should not express any opinion that contradicts his own. Israel
Cairo fires fan the flames of public anger A recent series of fires in downtown Cairo has ignited public anger, with some accusing the state of seeking to clear the region of informal vendors. Egypt
Why some Palestinians are siding with the IDF Palestinian officials do not think the rift between the IDF and Israel's political leadership will improve the Palestinians' situation or advance diplomacy toward peace. Palestine
Congress rolls out red carpet in Washington for jilted GCC The Senate is getting ready to extend diplomatic courtesies to the Gulf Cooperation Council as it prepares to open a Washington office. Legacy: Gulf
Why Iran should focus on Turkey, not Russia, for Syria cooperation Despite all talk of a nascent Russian-Iranian alliance, it appears that Iranian interests — and the objective of peace in Syria — are perhaps best served through Iranian-Turkish cooperation. Turkey
Is Rafsanjani’s daughter headed for more legal trouble? Faezeh Hashemi Rafsanjani faces possible legal action after appearing in a photo with leaders of Iran’s Baha’i community. Iran
Turkish ambassador calls joining EU Ankara’s 'strategic objective' In a wide-ranging interview with Al-Monitor, Turkish Ambassador to France Hakki Akil discussed Turkey’s perspectives on a safe zone in Syria, the migration crisis, Turkey’s progress toward EU membership, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian intervention in Syria and the possibility of international intervention in Libya. Syria
Satire leads Egypt youth troupe to prison The Egyptian authorities seem to be taking a break from fighting terrorism to zealously track down young entertainers. Egypt
Foreign terrorist fighters, reverse migration are global crises There is a pressing need for international cooperation to deal with foreign terrorist fighters and overcome the "not in my backyard" mindset. Iraq
