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
US warns Turkey on Syria amid last-ditch talks to resolve buffer zone dispute The United States says it will prevent a unilateral incursion into Syria by its NATO ally, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s patience is running out with protracted talks on removing Kurdish fighters from Turkey’s border region. Syria
Iran's Rouhani eases conditions for talks with Trump Iran's president says sanctions removal alone could initiate a Tehran-Washington dialogue, marking a departure from his earlier position where he strictly demanded the US rejoin the nuclear deal before any negotiation. United States
Are Palestinian construction permits Israel's way to annex Area C? Palestinians decry the Israeli Cabinet issuing construction permits to Palestinians in Area C, considering that Israel does not have the right to allow or prevent Palestinian construction, and believe the scheme is to annex Area C to its territory. Palestine
Palestinian government drafts law to protect its doctors A draft law to protect doctors and medical staff is currently underway in the West Bank, amid increasing physical and verbal attacks on hospital staff. Palestine
Tehran issues deadline for bypass to US sanctions Iran is stepping up its pressure on Europe to devise a successful workaround that will provide economic relief from US sanctions. United States
Israel concerned over dire economy, unrest in West Bank The growing number of Palestinians involved in "popular terrorism" is evidently linked to Israel’s decision to deduct payments to Palestinian prisoners from the tax revenues of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Blue and White clash as campaign messaging diverges Yair Lapid is already preparing for the day after the elections by campaigning against the ultra-Orthodox in a sign that he may quit the Blue and White Party if it loses. Israel
Journalists fear broad new law will stifle online news media in Turkey Free speech advocates fear a new law requiring licenses for web streaming services and online news broadcasters may be used to tighten censorship on the Turkish media. Turkey
Legitimization of racist party sullies Israel’s reputation Israel’s reputation has been sullied by the courting of Itamar Ben-Gvir, a disciple of the racist Rabbi Meir Kahane, by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Right leader Ayelet Shaked in the run-up to Knesset elections in September. Israel
Zarif says he was sanctioned for refusing to meet Trump Iran’s foreign minister claims he was warned in New York that if he refused to meet Trump at the White House he would be sanctioned. United States
Egypt's Sisi taking his time picking vice president Egyptians are speculating about why the president has yet to appoint a vice president to fill in for him if necessary. Egypt
Feuding Syrian Kurdish political blocs dance around rapprochement As French and US initiatives for intra-Kurdish rapprochement in Syria stall, it seems that piecemeal defections from the Kurdish National Council to the Kurdish autonomous administration in the north of the country are the rule of the day. Syria
