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
Temple Mount violence escalates Riots are spreading from the Temple Mount to East Jerusalem, causing more deaths and injuries, but neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas offer any new solutions. Palestine
Is it time to formally decentralize Iraq? Although Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi proposed a reform project to cut down government size, and thus government expenses, Iraq is in need of a decentralized plan. Iraq
Displaced Yazidis in Georgia find respite, but little else A small number of Iraqi Yazidis fleeing Islamic State attacks in 2014 headed for economically struggling Georgia, where the existing Yazidi community, itself formed by refugees escaping persecution, has been trying to assist them. Iraq
Iranian authorities scramble to stop 'Beat the Arab' An online game targeting Arabs and hosted on Iranian websites is prompting authorities to take action. Saudi Arabia
Land-grabbing captures attention of Iranians Mutual accusations of land-grabbing by two Iranian lawmakers reignite media coverage and public debate about this contentious issue. Iran
Rouhani defends nuclear deal to IRGC In his speech defending the nuclear deal to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani drew wide attention for calling other threats such as pollution and economic deterioration just as serious as Western influence. Iran
Russia deepens Turkey’s Syrian impasse Moscow’s increasing military support for the Assad regime makes a reassessment of Ankara’s Syria policy essential. Syria
Why the Gulf isn't to blame for Syrian refugee crisis Oil-rich Gulf states are defending their record in assisting Syrian refugees as world opinion grows more hostile to their perceived indifference. Legacy: Gulf
US sanctions Hamas leaders, but why now? Hamas suspects the United States is trying — but failing — to undermine the movement's truce efforts by designating three Hamas leaders as terrorists. Palestine
One migrant’s encounter with death As people in Libya try to make their way out of the country, mainly through illegal means, they are realizing the danger involved in the smuggling operations. Libya
Double victory for Palestine in FIFA qualifying match The qualifying soccer match between Palestine and the United Arab Emirates ended in a draw; both sides considered it a victory for Palestine for being able to host a home game on Palestinian territory. Legacy: Gulf
'Guests of God' pay high price Has the commercialization of the pilgrimage to Mecca overshadowed the Saudi leadership’s goal of serving Muslims? Saudi Arabia
