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
Christians demonstrate against wall in Beit Jala The fight over land in the predominantly Christian Palestinian town of Beit Jala has been fought on the ground and in the Israeli courts for years, with Christian leaders at the head of Palestinian efforts. Palestine
Congressional debate shifts to implementation of Iran agreement Fans and foes of the deal are already battling over the day after. Congress
US unlikely to take more Syrian refugees While the United States has taken only 1,500 Syrian refugees so far, Americans moved by the drowning death of a Syrian toddler and other scenes of misery among migrants are opening their wallets and contributing more to aid agencies. Iraq
Former Iran deal negotiator slams concessions in nuclear deal Former Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili criticized the concessions the current negotiation team made in the comprehensive nuclear deal. Iran
Erdogan continues to stir the pot in Turkey Erdogan’s suggestion that if the AKP had gotten 400 deputies in the June elections, then the turmoil and violence in the country today would have been avoided, causes outrage and increases tensions. Turkey
How the Islamic State is exploiting Asian unrest to recruit fighters Communication, trust and cooperation among governments and communities are required to prevent the spread of violent extremism and curb the flow of Islamic State recruits from Asia to the Middle East. Turkey
6 reasons why Turkey's war against the PKK won't last There are six major reasons why Turkey's war with the PKK, which resumed July 24 after 2½ years of non-hostility, cannot be sustained. Iraq
Syria diplomacy 'stuck' Hopes of the United States, Europe and Russia to try to ramp up Syria diplomacy in the wake of the Iran nuclear deal have stalled amid Saudi reluctance, and there has been no breakthrough after the flurry of recent diplomatic contacts between Washington, Moscow and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Egypt begins rounding up dissidents under new terror law Under the new anti-terror law issued by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, several young Egyptians have already been arrested and could face sentences of 10 years in prison or even death. Egypt
How to rein in Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units There is an urgent need to organize the Popular Mobilization Units' various groups under the government’s control to avoid chaos and internal divisions that some parties might exploit to achieve their regional agendas. Iraq
Iranian deputy foreign minister reasserts leadership on Syria, confidence in Hezbollah During a visit to Beirut, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein-Amir Abdollahian discussed Lebanese presidential elections and pressing regional issues, including relations between Washington, Riyadh and Moscow concerning Syria and the nuclear agreement. Legacy: Gulf
Netanyahu is all talk and no action when it comes to helping refugees, asylum seekers In reaction to the flow of Syrian refugees, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talks about “empathy for a human tragedy,” but when it comes to actions, as in the case of the Gaza Strip or the asylum seekers from Africa, he turns his back. Israel
