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
Iran to execute man arrested as teenager, Amnesty says Mohammad Hassan Rezaiee, who was arrested at the age of 16, has spent more than a decade on death row. Iran
Pompeo says Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 violates NATO agreements US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in a phone call that Turkey’s purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system is a threat to the United States. . Turkey
Satellite photos show construction at Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility The Iranian nuclear deal, which US President-elect Joe Biden will seek to rejoin, called for a ban on nuclear activity at Fordo. Iran
GCC to hold summit in January amid Qatar row, Kuwait says Kuwait, which has acted as a mediator between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors, said the annual summit will be held in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 5. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia seeking 20-year sentence for jailed women’s activist Loujain al-Hathloul's sister said the state prosecutor is seeking the maximum sentence in a trial rights groups say is grossly unfair. Saudi Arabia
Bahrain's king receives COVID-19 vaccine King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was vaccinated days after Bahrain approved use of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine. Bahrain
Iraq, Turkey agree to cooperate on counterterrorism, trade Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi committed to enhanced cooperation on terrorism, trade and energy, although Turkey’s ongoing military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan may remain a source of contention between the two neighbors. Iraq
Iran's Khamenei says nuclear deal can be reentered ‘without delay’ Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there should be no delay in removing sanctions and reentering the nuclear deal. United States
Turkey won't back down from S-400s despite sanctions, says foreign minister Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara will "take steps" to respond to the US sanctions unveiled this week. Turkey
Israeli duo looks to recreate Biden-Harris dynamic to pull off win With Knesset member Yifat Shasha-Biton joining him, Likud-rebel Gideon Saar may be presaging a campaign similar to that waged by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Israel
Archive Upfront from Dec 17, 2020 10 years on, Tunisian emotions mixed in birthplace of Arab Spring Ten years after the first Arab Spring protests erupted in the central Tunisian city of Sidi Bouzid, the locals are still suffering economic hardships amid a lack of government support. Tunisia
Iran nuclear deal parties discuss salvaging the accord The nuclear deal's remaining signatories met virtually in an effort to preserve the landmark agreement. Iran
