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
UK, Iran treading troubled waters after seizing tankers The British navy is now escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for safety reasons, as it remains to be seen if Iran and the United Kingdom can settle their maritime dispute. United States
Congress struggles to sanction Saudis for Khashoggi murder Faced with opposition from the White House and Senate Republican leadership, Congress is struggling to pass Saudi sanctions legislation. Saudi Arabia
Turkish muscle flexing in Mediterranean rekindles Cyprus peace efforts Turkey's aggressive behavior in the Eastern Mediterranean over drilling for gas has focused the minds of Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders on getting back to the negotiating table. Turkey
Behind the scenes: The birth of the Meretz–Barak alliance In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Meretz Knesset member Issawi Freij, architect of the surprising agreement to merge the electoral lists of Meretz and Ehud Barak's Democratic Israel for the upcoming elections, explains what happened behind the scenes and plans for the future. Israel
Tunisian president's death leaves conflicted legacy, unclear future The ultimate measure of late President Beji Caid Essebsi's rule may be the seamless transfer of power to a new Tunisian president. Tunisia
Punishment for dissent begins with lengthy pretrial detention in Turkey As the Turkish judiciary takes a summer recess, nearly 60,000 people remain behind bars as the trial process for political and terrorism-related charges drags on. Turkey
Rouhani says Iran ready for 'respectful' negotiations Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said that the country will not "surrender" but is ready to hold talks with the United States on reviving the nuclear deal. United States
Why Syria's opposition council is opening offices in FSA-held areas The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces is opening offices in the Free Syrian Army-held areas to obtain the support of the people who believe such an institution to be a failure. Syria
Egypt muzzles media on US peace plan Egypt's security services issued strict instructions to Egyptian newspapers not to publish any views contrary to the government's official line on the US-proposed Palestian-Israeli peace deal. Palestine
Republicans push tepid Trump to sanction Turkey After huddling with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, Republican senators tell Al-Monitor that the president isn’t keen on sanctioning Turkey. Turkey
Apology of Barak to Israeli Arabs: Political but important Israeli Arabs are well aware that the apology of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak was politically motivated, but they welcome his action nonetheless. Israel
Intel: Why Russia is calling for rethinking Gulf security On Tuesday, Russia’s presidential envoy for the Middle East and African countries and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov laid out Russia’s proposal for collective security in the Persian Gulf. Russia
