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
Under new leadership, Turkish Central Bank delivers largest rate hike in two years Following a shakeup in Turkey’s economy team, Central Bank policy-makers raised a key interest rate to 15% Thursday, pledging to fight high inflation and bolster the nation’s troubled economy. Turkey
Intel: Senators move to block US F-35, drone sale to UAE A bipartisan group of US senators say they received no reply from the Pentagon or State Department after inquiring last month about implications of the sale of advanced weaponry to the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Pompeo says settlement products to be labeled 'Made in Israel' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also announced the United States would identify and label groups that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement as "anti-Semitic." Israel
Turkey’s landmark rate hike augurs economic contraction Ankara’s departure from a much-criticized policy to keep interest rates low offers hope for a currency recovery but threatens economic recession and fresh livelihood grievances for the populace. Turkey
Western Sahara conflict tests Turkey-Algeria ties Turkey’s continued cold war with the Saudi bloc is adding fuel to the brewing conflict in Western Sahara between Algeria and Morocco. Turkey
Pompeo first US Secretary of State to visit West Bank settlement Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not only visited a settlement winery, but also announced that West Bank settlement products exported to the United States may be labeled as made in Israel. Israel
PA restoring ties with Israel undermines reconciliation, Hamas says The reconciliation efforts between Hamas and Fatah are likely to go down the drain now that the PA announced that ties and security coordination with Israel have been restored. Palestine
Republican senators ask Trump to label West Bank products 'Made in Israel' The senators want the president to reverse the Clinton-era customs policy before he leaves office in January. Palestine
Egypt's secret police arrest second prominent human rights activist this week Karim Ennarah is the third member of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights to be detained this year. Egypt
Erbil governor dies of coronavirus; his 'legacy of service will endure,' PM Barzani says Local and foreign offices praised the late governor and called his death a great loss for the KRG. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Iran fed uranium gas to prohibited centrifuges at underground site, says UN US President Donald Trump proposed attacking the site in a meeting with advisers last week. Iran
Iran’s Zarif says Biden could lift Iran sanctions in no time Iran’s foreign minister expressed optimism about Joe Biden’s presidency, noting that Washington’s return to the Iran nuclear deal could take place without preconditions. United States
