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
Do clothes make the woman? An Iranian artist's search for identity The works of Mona Hakimi-Schueler, an Iranian artist based in Berlin, depicts Iranian women not as victims but strong individuals whether in a hijab, summer dress or armor. Iran
Russia's plan for IS returnees no better than that of others Moscow criticizes the Europeans for refusing to assume their share of responsibility for their nationals who ended up with the Islamic State, but Russia's own practice is flawed, too. Iraq
Salih: Iraq can be a 'bridge to the economies of the region' Iraqi president charts new direction for Iraqi foreign policy based on "interrelated interests" at Sulaimani Forum; Iraq-Jordan trade deal should help address Jordan’s unemployment crisis; Rouhani arrives in Iraq to boost trade; US shifted arms from Iraq to Syria in second half of 2018. Iraq
Plan to charge allies for US troop presence carries risks for Americans in North Africa US President Donald Trump’s reported plan to charge allies for US military bases could make it harder to protect diplomats and embassies throughout Africa. Libya
Rouhani goes to Iraq to boost trade, assert authority at home President Hassan Rouhani’s landmark visit to Iraq is not just about expanding trade to deflect US pressure on the Iranian economy, but also to boost his administration’s standing in Tehran. Iraq
Egypt celebrates its own Women's Day As Egyptian women celebrate the 100-year anniversary of their participation in the first march during the 1919 revolution, the National Council for Women sheds light on their achievements. Egypt
Iraqi officials stress need to boost Arab ties while balancing relations with Iran Iraqi officials and their Arab counterparts at the 2019 Sulaimaniyah Forum called for turning toward other Arab states while balancing relations with Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Is Ankara’s religious education drive stumbling? Despite Ankara’s unrelenting drive to expand religious education, enrollment in religious schools has remained below the government’s targets. Turkey
Did Iran ever stop funding Hamas? Iran has reportedly resumed its aid to the Palestinian Hamas movement, after years of estrangement over regional issues. Palestine
Gaza aid cannot wait while Israel holds elections On the backdrop of the growing crisis in the Gaza Strip, Israel, Qatar and Egypt are discussing the idea of humanitarian aid supplies financed by Qatar. Qatar
Is Israel headed for national unity government? According to current polls, neither Likud nor Blue and White alliance would be able to assemble a governing coalition after elections, raising a number of even more unlikely scenarios for doing so. Israel
Why is two-state solution absent from Blue and White party charter? The charter of the new Blue and White party veers to the right, thus offering Zionist left-wing Labor and Meretz parties an opportunity to reattract voters who support the two-state solution. Israel
