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
Turkish military struggles to find new recruits The Turkish Armed Forces has to overcome serious structural problems, including inadequate recruitment, before switching from a conscription-based military to a fully professional force. Turkey
Why some Shiites are refusing to join fight against Islamic State Shiite fighters will not participate in the upcoming Mosul battles, as they feel the sacrifices they have made so far are not appreciated by the Sunnis. Iraq
Will next round of Geneva talks determine Assad's fate? The upcoming Geneva talks are once again under the spotlight as Syria approaches the end of the cease-fire. Syria
Hamas drags feet on choosing between Iran, Saudi Arabia Since the Gulf Cooperation Council decided to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization, Hamas has remained silent and refrained from taking sides so as not to endanger its regional relations. Saudi Arabia
Why some Palestinians believe that 'death is the solution, not the problem' Seeing no political will to improve their circumstances, some young Palestinians appear to see killing Israelis as the only way to end the occupation and their misery. Palestine
Syria talks set to resume UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said he planned to resume proximity talks between the Syrian government and the opposition on a political transition starting March 14. Syria
After inviting Israeli ambassador for dinner, Egyptian MP finds himself without a job Egyptian legislator Tawfiq Okasha, who has a habit of angering top Egyptian party leaders, angered them even more by meeting with the Israeli ambassador in Cairo and found himself dismissed from parliament. Egypt
What's behind IAEA's change in reporting? While critics complain that they are getting less information from the IAEA about Iran’s nuclear program after implementation of the JCPOA, a US official told Al-Monitor, “We get what we need.” Iran
Does Erdogan believe he's on a mission from God? Increasingly cornered and isolated both at home and abroad, Turkey's president is seeking to boost his public support by placing God directly at the center of his Islamist oratory. Turkey
IRGC commander: We are not pulling troops from Syria Following the firing of two ballistic missiles, an Iranian commander said that US pressure would only bring about more tests and said Iran would continue sending troops to Syria. Israel
Hit film's kiss gets Arab-Israeli teacher fired Arab-Israeli teacher Ali Muasi was dismissed by the mayor of his city for screening the Oscar-nominated film "Omar" after Salafist groups denounced the film's "inappropriate" content. Israel
Iraq prepares to amend its existing oil contracts In light of the oil price slide, Iraq’s Oil Ministry is preparing to review contracts with foreign oil companies. Iraq
