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
How much will it cost for Lebanon to reforest after wildfires? Lebanon’s Civil Defense fought, with limited resources, a series of wildfires that ravaged the country. Lebanon
Palestinian government passes law protecting whistleblowers For the first time, the Palestinian government passed a law on the protection of whistleblowers, witnesses and experts in corruption cases, as part of efforts to raise awareness against corruption. Palestine
Turkish foreign minister: US-Turkey deal 'not a cease-fire' Vice President Mike Pence announced that Turkish officials have agreed to suspend military operations in northeast Syria for five days to allow Kurdish forces to withdraw from the border area. Syria
Putin's visit draws UAE, Russia closer The UAE's welcoming ceremony for Putin outperformed that of the Saudis but this is not the only reason why the Russian president left Abu Dhabi happy. Legacy: Gulf
Netanyahu discovers hospitality has its limits Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tried to ingratiate himself at both the White House and the Kremlin, but now finds himself home alone. Palestine
Has Israel’s political left given up? Contrary to their enthusiasm ahead of the Sept. 17 election, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his colleagues in the leadership of the left-wing camp seem to have disappeared lately from the political arena. Israel
Netanyahu camp adds Arab 'extortion' to right-wing playbook With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu unable to form a government with his right-wing allies, he and his associates hope to prevent others from succeeding at the task by launching a new line of attack inciting against the Arab parties and branding those who cooperate with them as security threats. Israel
Is Kurdish dream of autonomy coming to an end? The clouds of doubt over the Kurdish autonomy project in northern Syria have thickened after the Kurds struck a military alliance with Damascus, without getting any assurances on their future political rights. Syria
Arrest of Telegram channel operator surprises Iranians The operator of a popular dissident Telegram channel was in Iraq when he was apprehended and handed to Iran, according to BBC Persian. Iran
Families of Sadr City ‘martyrs’ say protests will resume Families and friends of the dozens of protesters from Baghdad’s Sadr City killed in the recent protests say they doubt reforms announced by the prime minister will significantly affect the current situation. They warn that protests will continue unless they see real change. Iraq
Abbas rallies election support, with or without Hamas The Arab League has announced its backing for Palestinian legislative elections, as Hamas and Fatah remain divided over them. Palestine
Algerian regime steps up repression against protests Algeria's interim government appears to be ramping up its response to Hirak activists taking part in popular protests, including resorting to extended pre-hearing detentions and holding protesters in inhumane conditions. Algeria
