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 grants Iraq reprieve to continue buying Iranian gas The US is allowing Iraq to keep purchasing gas from Iran without sanctions, to allow Baghdad time to develop alternate sources. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt’s sports tourism under attack A bus carrying mostly South African tourists was attacked near the Giza pyramids in Cairo, ahead of the African Union Cup that Egypt will host this summer. Egypt
The PA moves forward in its disengagement from Israel The Palestinian government decided to appoint commercial attaches in the Palestinian embassies in a bid to promote national products abroad, which is seen as a step forward on the path of economic disengagement from Israel. Palestine
Hundreds of Israeli security experts warn of annexation dangers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies are belittling hundreds of former security officials who warn that annexing West Bank lands would endanger Israel’s security. Palestine
Congress forgoes Iran war restrictions to save anti-Assad bill In order to assure passage of a long-stalled Syria sanctions bill, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted down legislation restricting President Donald Trump’s ability to attack Iran. Syria
Ultra-Orthodox set sights on Housing, Welfare portfolios The ultra-Orthodox population is poor and faces a housing crisis, which has led their elected representatives to demand welfare and housing portfolios as conditions for joining the next government. Israel
Kurdish hunger strikers wait for news from meeting of jailed leader Imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party leader Abdullah Ocalan has met for a second time with lawyers as a wide Kurdish hunger strike endangers lives. Turkey
Iran tightens noose on corrupt tycoons Iran's judiciary is prosecuting individuals accused of corruption and embezzlement on a scale unheard of in the country. Iran
Why Bahrain conference won’t be enough for peace The US-initiated Bahrain conference will bring little to the Palestinians without a real peace process with Israel. Bahrain
Tunisia frees UN expert but 'battle has only just begun' Theories abound as to why the Tunisian government has charged Moncef Kartas with espionage, but new information regarding similar charges against his fixer shed light on the true nature of the flimsy case against Kartas. Libya
Ninevah governor's election stirs Sunni split in Baghdad The Ninevah Provincial Council has chosen a new governor close to the Shiite-dominated Popular Mobilization Units, prompting objections from many Sunnis. Iraq
Idlib exposes Turkey’s weak hand against Russia Despite the gains Turkey believes it's made through growing its relations with Russia, the two countries' priorities in Syria are anything but aligned. Syria
