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
Erdogan jabs at Obama in calculated move Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his recent visit to Latin America to make his claim to leadership of the Muslim world. Turkey
Turkish media watchdog scrutinizes 'The Simpsons' Turkey’s broadcasting review board has become a key tool in the government's efforts to police morality. Turkey
Billion dollar smuggling industry drains Iran's economy Partly due to sanctions, smuggling of drugs, cigarettes and cosmetics is widespread in Iran and some question whether government organizations are implicated. Iran
Turkey's mosque-building diplomacy Turkey is running a state-sponsored program to build mosques in countries from Kazakhstan to Cuba, which some say prevents more radical groups to gain power and is widening Turkey’s global influence. Turkey
Palestinians prepare 'diplomatic intifada' With Israel preoccupied with elections and the Arab world preoccupied with fighting the Islamic State, the Palestinians feel sidelined and are looking to launch a "diplomatic intifada." Palestine
Hezbollah, Future Movement find 'delicate stability' for now The dialogue between Hezbollah and the Future Movement continues despite the limited results it has yielded so far. Israel
Netanyahu drops diplomacy in re-election bid Sensing the disillusionment of the Israeli public over the Palestinian issue, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has focused his campaign agenda elsewhere. Palestine
Egypt sees al-Azhar as key to Africa Egypt is seeking to reinvigorate its role on the African continent and restore its influence through missions by al-Azhar clerics. Egypt
Arab list is stronger without Zoabi The removal of Knesset member Haneen Zoabi, known for her provocative anti-Israeli stance, may make it easier for Israelis to vote for the new joint Arab party. Israel
Palestinian government allows entry of Israeli goods into Gaza The Palestinian government has said that the decision is a temporary measure made necessary by the destruction to factories during the last Gaza war. Palestine
Knockoff drugs endanger Egyptians Counterfeit medications have become a common problem in Egypt, which has no central drug commission or strong laws penalizing their production and sale. Egypt
Congress demands review after Islamic State aid theft Lawmakers demand government review after militants shown distributing UN packages. Syria
