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
Iran brings in New Year by focusing on domestic production Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stressed the need to focus on domestic production in the upcoming year. Iran
Turkey’s Kurds celebrate new year, brace for election The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party hopes the March 31 municipal elections will repudiate the government’s removal of its officials from local offices, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that he reserves the right to do so again. Turkey
As US hints at plans to reduce troops, Iraqi MPs divided on what comes next US troops in Iraq are unlikely to leave the country en masse due to US long-term plans to stay, and the sharp disagreement between Iraqi politicians regarding the presence of foreign forces in the country continues apace. Iraq
Four years on, Yemen war remains Saudi Arabia’s albatross The Saudi-led war on Yemen has alienated the kingdom from the US Congress and media outlets, with potentially dangerous consequences for the long-term future of US-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi controversy over the return of Sunni figures accused of terrorism The reports on returning exiled Sunni figures who were sentenced by Iraqi courts to Iraq stirred controversies among Iraqis. Iraq
Hamas quashes armed Shiite movement Sabireen in Gaza Hamas makes the lion's share of civilian and military decisions in the Gaza Strip, while small movements such as Harakat al-Sabireen are forced to bow to Hamas' power, which is also supported by the Sunni community. Palestine
Israel’s justice minister sells ‘fascist fragrance’ An Israeli expert warns that the 100-day plan by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked against the legal system resembles anti-democratic moves in Hungary and Poland: "If you want to look two steps ahead and see where they want to lead us and how we will appear to the world, look at those two states." Israel
Israel again turning Temple Mount into a time bomb Israel’s decision to reclose the Bab al-Rahma building reflects once again the government’s provocative and dangerous policy over Temple Mount and Jerusalem. Palestine
US singles out ‘mafia’-like groups as key threat to Iraq’s future In exclusive interviews with Al-Monitor at the State Department, two top State Department officials lay out US policy goals as Iraq seeks normalize and balance ties with Iran and its other neighbors while seeking to prevent a return of the Islamic State. Iraq
Whose side is Russia on in Libya? The visit to Russia by Khaled al-Mishri, president of Libya's High Council of State and a former Muslim Brotherhood member, has raised speculation about Russian policy on a resolution for the Libyan conflict. Libya
New Zealand, Australia outraged over Erdogan’s remarks on Christchurch attacks Turkey’s president has cast the rampage that killed 50 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand as an attack on the wider Muslim world, particularly Turkey. Turkey
Pentagon fails to deliver US strategy on Yemen The Pentagon has missed multiple congressional deadlines to report on US goals for the Saudi-led intervention. Yemen
