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
With Trump on way out, Netanyahu nails together settlement legacy With US President-elect Joe Biden preparing to take office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is rushing to set his settlement achievements in stone. Israel
Gulf oil exporters look past Biden’s green energy platform The possible return of Iranian crude to global markets is a short-term concern for Gulf oil producers, which expect to be the last man standing in a decarbonizing world. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu goes for broke in Trump's last two months Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still hoping to squeeze last-minute favors from outgoing US President Donald Trump at the expense of his relationship with the incoming administration. Israel
Lebanon’s intelligence chief visited Damascus amid efforts to free Austin Tice Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim suggested efforts to secure the American journalist's release continued after Ibrahim visited Washington last month. Lebanon
Opposition leader sees warning in Russian cease-fire violations in Syria The Syrian Opposition Coalition's president blames Russia for the failure of political process. Syria
Israel opens bidding for project in east Jerusalem Days after the election of US President-elect Joe Biden, Israel is taking bids for the construction of 1,257 housing units in the Jewish Givat Hamatos neighborhood in east Jerusalem. Israel
Egyptian man in Cairo's Tahrir Square sets himself on fire The incident took place at the rallying point for Egypt's 2011 revolution. Egypt
Should Turkish justice minister's comments fuel hope for release of philanthropist Osman Kavala? Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul spoke out against the widespread practice of arbitrary detentions Friday, fueling speculation that Turkish philanthropist and civic activist Osman Kavala, who has been in jail for more than three years on a slew of outlandish charges, may be finally freed. Turkey
Intel: US blames ‘scheduling issue’ for no Pompeo-Erdogan meeting A State Department official said Pompeo's "tight schedule" will keep him from meeting Turkish officials when in Istanbul next week. Turkey
Pakistan PM says no recognition of Israel until agreement with Palestinians Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan will not recognize Israel until there is a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel
US threat to shutter Baghdad embassy 'ongoing,' says Syria envoy Outgoing US Syria envoy James Jeffrey says the State Department's threats to close the US Embassy in Iraq is "very serious." Iraq
Desperate doctors call for lockdown in Istanbul Turkish medical associations as well as the mayor are appealing to the Turkish government to close down Istanbul as daily deaths reach April levels. Turkey
