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
Exclusive: PKK commander threatens to resume war In an exclusive interview, the Kurdistan Workers Party's (PKK) top military commander, Cemil Bayik, says that Turkey has sabotaged the peace process and the PKK is ready to resume open conflict. Turkey
Security ministries on hold in Iraq Iraq's parliament has failed to vote on the candidates proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi for the posts of interior and defense ministers, letting the country slip down a dangerous path. Iraq
Turks dislike Islamic State, but would leave fight to others A recent survey by Metropoll, a prominent Turkish polling company, indicates that only 1.3% of Turks are sympathetic toward the Islamic State. Syria
Islamic Jihad’s popularity grows after Gaza war The public approval ratings of Islamic Jihad received a boost after the Gaza war, benefiting from the group's determination to stay out of the Hamas-Fatah feud. Palestine
Egyptian visit to Ethiopian dam raises hopes for resolution Egypt and Ethiopia are showing a willingness to resolve the dispute over the Renaissance Dam, but some fundamental concerns still remain. Egypt
Hamas weighs alternatives to Palestinian unity government Hamas holds little faith in the newly established consensus government, accusing President Mahmoud Abbas of putting aside the needs of the people of Gaza. Palestine
Gaza hospital cleaners strike Hospital cleaners in Gaza are on strike over unpaid wages from the consensus government, one of many problems in Gaza since the reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas. Palestine
Erdogan says Turkey will join fight against Islamic State Ankara is being forced to get off the fence and join allies against the growing threat from IS and similar groups. Turkey
Iran nuclear negotiators have no 'authority' to discuss IS Iranian Gen. Massoud Jazayeri said that Iran's nuclear negotiators only have the authority to conduct talks on the nuclear issue, and not the Islamic State, with US officials. Iran
Iranian conservative says the US needs Iran In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian conservative Amir Mohebian discussed why he believes Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is pessimistic about the nuclear negotiations, how US policy in the Middle East has benefited Iran and how the United States is now in a position where it needs Iran to deal with regional issues. Iraq
IS makes plans to fend off attacks on Mosul The Islamic State focuses on preparations to fight off expected attacks to Mosul by identifying secondary locations for headquarters, storing weapons in mosques and planting booby-traps. Iraq
Will Abbas walk the walk on his threats to Israel? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will present his plan to end the Israeli occupation at the UN General Assembly, with PA officials warning they will launch a political campaign against Israel should the plan be rebuffed. Palestine
