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
Trump officials warn more Iran sanctions are coming State and Treasury department experts today warned a roomful of businesspeople that trade that is legal now may not be in the near future. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds urge their Syrian cousins to make peace with Damascus Al-Monitor speaks with Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani about Iraqi Kurdistan's relationship with Baghdad, trade with Iran and why Turkey must negotiate with the PKK. Iraq
Iranian media: Sistani's meeting with Rouhani endorsement of ‘moderation’ President Hassan Rouhani’s audience with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani signaled an approval of the president’s moderate positions both at home and abroad, according to Iranian media. Iraq
Can books be used for punishment? The sentencing of a veteran Iranian dissident to a jail term and to copy three books by hand has brought the phenomenon of “alternative sentences” to the fore. Iran
Ankara fumes as European Parliament votes to suspend EU talks The European Parliament called on the European Union to halt membership negotiations with Turkey, citing a failure to respect the bloc’s standards on human rights, while Ankara accuses the legislators of giving in to right-wing populism. Turkey
Tunisian activists call for regulating cannabis production, distribution A youth initiative is drafting a proposal to legalize cannabis and monitor its use and distribution, to be presented to parliament. Tunisia
Netanyahu quotes radical rabbi's racist invective Embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has upped his incitement against Israel’s Arab citizens, echoing a heinous argument propounded by radical Rabbi Meir Kahane. Israel
What’s the holdup on passing 2019 Palestinian budget? The Palestinian government has yet to approve the 2019 general budget two weeks before a deadline extension expires and is now working on a new emergency budget that accounts for Israel withholding tax revenues. Palestine
Championing legalizing cannabis, Israeli ultra-right party amasses support The head of the Zehut party, Moshe Feiglin, is a gifted politician: He advances Libertarian principles and legalization of cannabis while concealing his ambitions for a Jewish State law that would expel Arabs and annex the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine
Israeli model stands up to Netanyahu on equality Popular Israeli model and actress Rotem Sela has riled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by reminding him that Israel has a diverse citizenry, including Arabs, who have the right to political representation. Israel
Sistani to Rouhani: Iraq's sovereignty must be respected Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, met with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the Iraqi city of Najaf, where Sistani stressed the necessity of respecting Iraq's sovereignty. Iraq
