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
Has Egypt ditched Arab NATO? Uncertainty surrounds Egypt’s membership in the US-promoted Middle East Strategic Alliance amid the country’s unconfirmed withdrawal from the project. Egypt
Qatar brings Gaza beaches back to life The Gaza Electricity Distribution Co. completed April 18 a Qatar-funded project designed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the wastewater treatment plants, which will subsequently stop seawater pollution and revitalize the beaches. Palestine
After years of undermining judiciary, Netanyahu needs its help Israel's prime minister and New Right leader Naftali Bennett are ironically seeking justice through the same court system they attack on a regular basis. Israel
Iraqi bill on Yazidi female survivors stirs controversy If passed, a draft bill in the Iraqi parliament would guarantee financial compensation for Yazidi women kidnapped by the Islamic State, but a clause on the religion of children born from rape has provoked controversy. Iraq
Egypt's opposition fears for future as constitutional amendments pass Egyptian activists criticized the integrity of a recent referendum vote that saw the passing of a constitutional amendment to extend the president's term to 2030. Egypt
Iraq hopes for dilemma-less summer Iraq’s new government faces potential problems and a cast of quirky characters. Iraq
Egypt's iron tariffs threaten some of its own companies The Egyptian government’s new temporary import fees have sparked controversy among Egypt’s steel rerolling factories, which rely on imported iron billet to produce rebar. Egypt
Can Palestinians free themselves of the shekel? The new government of Prime Minister Mohammed al-Shtayyeh would like to drop the shekel, which is not an easy proposition given the many ways the Israeli currency enters the Palestinian economy. Palestine
Syria opposition receives military training from Turkey ahead of potential battle against SDF Free Syrian Army factions in northern Syria are receiving military training under Turkish army supervision in preparation for an imminent battle against the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Egyptian regime suppresses campaigns opposing constitutional changes Despite opposition campaigns, Egyptians overwhelmingly voted in favor of constitutional amendments that could stretch President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s stay in office until 2030. Egypt
US offers cautious response to Zarif call for prisoner swap The State Department's measured response to Iran's call for a prisoner swap is a departure from its "maximum pressure" campaign against the country. United States
Will Netanyahu re-create Arab Affairs Ministry? Consideration linked to coalition talks and to the importance of the Arab constituency might persuade Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to re-create the Ministry for Minorities Affairs. Israel
