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
Can US, Iran maintain ties after Obama? After three years of frequent and intense US-Iranian diplomatic contacts during the successful Iran nuclear deal negotiations, can the United States and Iran maintain their diplomatic opening after President Barack Obama leaves office and John Kerry is no longer secretary of state? Iran
Tehran police chief defends new undercover morality police force Tehran’s police chief, Hossein Sajedinia, has defended the decision to introduce 7,000 undercover morality officers in the capital, explaining the force will monitor security issues as well as appropriate women’s veiling. Iran
Why Turkey frets over US-Russian relations Will Turkey’s leaders have to wait for the next US president to challenge Russia in the manner they would like? Syria
The real reason some Turks are so quick to cry ‘coup’ in Brazil When Turks comment on the "coup" in Brazil, they are actually speaking about Turkey. Turkey
Shelling of Aleppo neighborhood threatens to stir up Arab-Kurdish strife The armed Syrian opposition's ongoing shelling on the Kurdish-majority Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood of Aleppo risks potential strife between Sunni Arabs and Kurds. Syria
Why Egyptians' anger at island handover is misplaced Angry Egyptians decried the return of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia while ignoring possible economic benefits and returns for Egypt as part of the agreement. Saudi Arabia
Jordan pivots to Saudi Arabia After years of a cool relationship between Jordan and Saudi Arabia, the two Arab kingdoms seem to be united to fight Iran’s regional interference. Saudi Arabia
Were Bibi's Golan comments a 'death blow' to peace? The declaration by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel will hold on to the Golan Heights forever threatens any possibility of an agreement with the Palestinians and Arab states. Saudi Arabia
Fight over Iran's access to dollars takes partisan turn A flurry of Republican bills are getting no love from Democrats. Congress
How sanctions relief became a tool in Iran’s domestic battles Opponents of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani have stepped up their criticism, claiming that Iran has not yet been reconnected to the global financial communications system. Iran
Will Tehran's top Reformist MP take last shot at political leadership? With Iran's next parliament close to being sworn in, Reformist frontrunner Mohammad Reza Aref is likely to challenge Ali Larijani for the position of speaker. Iran
Is Egypt judging its judges too harshly? Some judges are being forced to retire, ostensibly for political activity — but they say it is because they’re not supporting the ruling regime. Egypt
