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
Iraqi government spends millions on medical treatment abroad The Iraqi government is paying huge sums to help Iraqis travel abroad for medical treatment instead of allocating money to improve health care in the country. Iraq
Israel's deadliest roads Despite well-documented fatalities on roads in the Negev, successive Israeli governments have turned a blind eye, choosing instead to allocate funds to build and expand settlement infrastructure. Israel
Hamas reaches out to new Saudi leadership As Hamas offers its condolences for the death of the Saudi king, it seems to be using "funeral diplomacy" as an opportunity to re-establish ties with the Gulf state. Saudi Arabia
Egyptian antiquities remain at risk A mix of ineptitude, mismanagement and corruption is leading to the damage, loss and theft of invaluable treasures from Egypt’s history. Egypt
Hamas declares opening of Gaza seaport Hamas is working to open and operate its Gaza seaport, especially since countries such as Turkey, Cyprus and Greece apparently have agreed to send and receive ships from Gaza. Palestine
Rouhani: We don’t need a nuclear bomb In a speech in Esfahan, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has said that Iran does not need a nuclear bomb to secure its safety. Iran
Conspiracies, victimhood cloud Turks' views of Hebdo killings A survey reveals that conspiratorial theories prevent Turks from seeing the "real victims" in the Charlie Hebdo killings, but also that the majority of Turks oppose such violence in the name of Islam. Turkey
Shiites have mixed reactions to new Saudi king The death of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz divided the Shiite community: While many celebrated and rejoiced, others deeply regretted the death of the Saudi monarch who was known for his moderate and reformist attitude. Saudi Arabia
'Bottlegate' and corruption rank low on Israel's political agenda Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to lead in polls despite the "Bottlegate" scandal surrounding his wife, suggesting that fighting corruption holds little importance in the eyes of the Israeli voter. Israel
Jordan's king tells Congress 'gloves are off' in fight against IS Key lawmakers endorse $1 billion aid package after airman slain. Jordan
Wilayat Sinai targets Egyptian army stronghold According to sources, Wilayat Sinai carried out an organized attack against the largest headquarters of the Egyptian army in the peninsula. Egypt
Iranian nuclear negotiators face further criticism Iran's nuclear negotiators are coming under more criticism and some believe that the supreme leader will soon take a hard line on the talks. Iran
