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
Welcome to one of the most exotic islands in the world Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean known for its vast biodiversity, seeks to regain its strategic role to support the country’s economy. United Arab Emirates
How united is the GCC? While Gulf states may all be united under the Gulf Cooperation Council name, their individual policies on foreign intervention vary greatly. Saudi Arabia
How calling out corruption cost this top Egyptian official his job President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s decision to fire Hisham Geneina, the head of the state’s top auditing authority, following Geneina’s statements on mass corruption in the country has caused controversy. Egypt
Is Turkey headed for a housing bubble? Will Turkey’s housing sector, which leads the world in price increases, continue to attract foreign investors? Turkey
What Saudi Arabia is doing to save water Saudi Arabia’s self-sufficiency policy has led to the overconsumption of water, a resource that Saudi Arabia critically needs. Countries
How Netanyahu sows fear among Israelis Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas talks with Israeli journalists and writers, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses rhetoric of fear, and keeps pointing an accusing finger at the Palestinians. Palestine
Should they stay or should they go? Turkey leaves foreign investors at odds Short-term foreign investors staged their biggest flight from Turkey last year, while foreign direct investments shot up to a seven-year high. Turkey
Who opposes Syrian Kurdish self-rule? Five years into the Syrian war, Syrian Kurds declare a federal region in the north of the country, which was quickly rejected by Assad’s regime and the Syrian opposition. Syria
Will PA continue enforcement of Israeli products ban? The Palestinian government officially and for the first time ever decided to ban the entry of five Israeli companies' products into the West Bank, which will bolster the Palestinian economy. Palestine
Why Iran wants Hamas to apologize Hamas representatives remain busy trying to repair relations with Egypt and Iran while not offending anyone in the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
What it will cost to rebuild Iraq The city of Ramadi recaptured from the Islamic State requires international reconstruction efforts and aid, so that its displaced residents may return and rebuild their lives. Iraq
Why Netanyahu humiliated his defense minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to pay a steep price, both politically and security-wise, as long as he is not seen losing to HaBayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennett in the fight over the hearts of right-wing voters. Israel
