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
Islamic State cell strikes Shiites in Saudi Arabia A deadly attack by an Islamic State cell on Saudi Shiites has upped the ante in the jihadists' threat to the Saudi royal family as the guardians of Islam's most holy sites. Legacy: Gulf
Israel satisfied with delay in Iran nuclear deal Following months of meetings with European and US leaders and with intelligence experts, Israel is relieved by the fact that the talks with Iran were extended and that the negotiated deal draft was not signed yet. Israel
To promote wins against IS, Iran's Soleimani emerges Quds Force Cmdr. Qasem Soleimani has been advising Iraqi Shiite militias with some success in the fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
Turkey's response to measles outbreak questioned Some believe the Turkish government is downplaying a measles outbreak compounded by the arrival of Syrian refugees despite warnings by World Health Organization and Turkish medical experts. Syria
Lebanese army makes strides in Tripoli With its success in Tripoli, the Lebanese army is proving itself as the only military institution in the state able to confront terrorism. Lebanon
Israel denies residency to Arab Israelis' Palestinian spouses Israel's denial of residency permits keeps its Arab citizens from reuniting with their Palestinian spouses in Israel. Palestine
Khamenei not opposed to nuclear extension In a speech, Iran's supreme leader has said that he supports the extension on the nuclear talks but slammed the countries involved in the negotiations. Iran
Controversial Knesset bills could revoke citizenship Parallel to several bills proposing to revoke the residency or the social rights of people convicted of terrorism, Israeli Interior Minister Gilad Erdan decided to revoke the residency of a man convicted of driving a suicide bomber in 2001, even after he served his jail time. Israel
Davutoglu's gestures fall short of Alevi demands Turkey’s prime minister seeks a fresh “opening” with the Alevi community, but his gestures are far from meeting fundamental Alevi demands. Turkey
Long-awaited Bekaa Valley security plan implemented The Lebanese army has implemented a security plan in the predominantly Shiite areas in the northern Bekaa Valley, amid increasing kidnappings, thefts and killings. Lebanon
Insecurity strengthens Israeli right A poll after the attack on the Har Nof synagogue and an academic study indicate that when Israelis feel threatened, it plays into the hands of the right-wing parties, at the moment benefiting first and foremost the Likud Party. Palestine
Amid war, Damascenes promote cycling with mass bike ride The war did not stop local activists in Damascus from organizing a public bike ride aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of cycling as an alternative means of transportation. Syria
