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
Seeking trade incentives, Palestinian businessmen develop economic ties with Israel Palestinian businessmen flout political taboos by meeting with Israelis for business. Palestine
IS exploits disputed areas, sets Iraqi fields on fire A rash of farmland set on fire, allegedly by the Islamic State, threatens massive economic loss and more internally displaced persons. Iraq
Israel’s scenario of the 'big' earthquake A devastating earthquake strikes the region about once every century, so Israel — statistically at least — is closer than ever to another deadly tremor. Israel
Postponing Algeria's elections comes with opportunities, but also risks There is a growing likelihood that elections in Algeria will be postponed until later this year, which could give the popular movement more time to craft an agenda, but also allow the interim power structure to remain in place. Algeria
Group to boost Palestinian economy, cut link to Israel The Palestinian prime minister is heading a new group designed to inject vitality into the economy and strengthen partnerships among the public, private and civil sectors. Palestine
Netanyahu’s future coalition, the alliance of the underdogs? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is struggling to cobble together a coalition that would guarantee him immunity, with partners who consider themselves underdogs in Israeli society. Israel
Trump seeks to bypass Congress on Saudi weapons sales amid Yemen war dispute Democrats are concerned the Donald Trump administration may use emergency powers to bypass Congress on arms sales to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Istanbul’s opposition candidate urges supporters to retain faith in ballot box Ekrem Imamoglu launched his second election campaign for Istanbul mayor, pledging to cut the wastefulness he discovered during his brief tenure as mayor last month, before electoral officials canceled his victory. Turkey
Khamenei further distances himself from Iran nuclear deal Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei further distanced himself from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran
Turkey squeezed between Russia, US in Syria Turkey, pressed between Russia and the United States, is headed toward a foreign policy crash in addition to an economic one. Syria
US Bahrain conference premature The Bahrain conference demonstrates yet again the American lack of understanding of the region, and their mistaken belief that one could skip the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process. Bahrain
Egypt’s new free zone to serve development purposes As part of the Egyptian government development plan for Upper Egypt, a new free zone will be opened in Aswan to boost the economy, serve investors and create more jobs. Egypt
