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
Third coalition arises in Iraq to vie for Sunni leadership Former Iraqi Vice President Osama al-Nujaifi has formed a new Sunni coalition in Iraq, but the "alliance" seems to indicate further division in Sunni political ranks. Iraq
Turkey’s Euphrates plans rely on Trump Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is hoping to convince President Donald Trump to accept Turkey's demands about the planned safe zone in northern Syria. Syria
Egyptian judges question motives behind income tax increase Based on a decision recently issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Finance, judges will be paying a higher amount of tax moving forward, and some believe the decision is aimed at punishing the judiciary. Egypt
US faces uneasy choice between Lebanese Christians and Syrian refugees Lebanese Christians are making a religious case for the Trump administration to back the repatriation of refugees to Syria Lebanon
Congress loosens pressure on Egypt just as new anti-Sisi protests emerge Key senators have abandoned efforts to cut Egyptian military aid just as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s government clamps down on new protests. Egypt
Moroccan sex 'outlaws' protest criminalization of sex outside marriage Following a Moroccan journalist's arrest for an alleged abortion and extramarital sex, thousands have signed an online petition to end the state's criminalization of sex outside marriage. Morocco
Rouhani to have 'bitter words' for US at UN summit Exuding confidence, President Hassan Rouhani has departed Tehran to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York. United States
Arab party torn over integration in Israeli society Leaders of the Arab Joint List qualified their recommendation of Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to compose the next government as historic — that is, until the Balad faction withdrew from the recommendation. Israel
Ankara likely to use new charges to keep HDP co-chairs behind bars Despite both Turkish courts and the European Court of Human Rights calling for the release of opposition leaders Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, the officials may remain behind bars in pretrial detention for new investigations. Turkey
Mediterranean drilling produces spurt of 'diplomacy' Greek Cypriots have been boosting their diplomatic actions to form an anti-Turkey bloc in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Uptick in Turkish exports, tourism comes at a price Increased export and tourism revenues have helped limit the Turkish economy’s contraction in the second quarter, but the improved numbers have come at the expense of price cutting, economic data show. Turkey
A closer look into Lebanon’s fixed currency Lebanon's fixed exchange rate has been a pillar of stability for two decades. However, poor economic conditions threaten its sustainability. Lebanon
