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
What was Hamas’ Haniyeh doing in Egypt for 25 days? Although Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s long visit to Egypt achieved positive results, including the release of four Hamas members abducted in 2015, many pending issues remain unresolved. Palestine
How did Lavrov do on his Gulf tour? During his tour of the Gulf, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov treaded carefully around politics, opting to speak publicly about a safer topic, economics. Legacy: Gulf
Mired in recriminations, Turkish-Egyptian ties remain stagnant Prospects for improved relations between Ankara and Cairo appear dimmer than ever following recent executions in Egypt. Egypt
Turkey becoming minefield for foreign journalists Three foreign reporters in Turkey have seen their accreditations terminated, while the renewal applications of 50 others remain unanswered since December, fueling concern that Ankara is seeking to drive the foreign media out. Turkey
Khatami: Lost Reformist votes will go to regime changers Former Iranian Reformist President Mohammad Khatami said it is unlikely that Iranians will turn out to vote in large numbers unless there are reforms within the next year. Iran
What was behind Abbas’ visit to Iraq? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ rare visit to Iraq raised questions about its purpose, as no agreements were announced. Palestine
Iran education lags despite nominal budget gains Iran’s educational system is under increasing strain as small increases in budget allocations and teacher salaries fail to catch up with chronic deficits. Iran
Egypt to supply Sudan with electricity Egypt announced the completion of a substation in the south of the country that will export electricity to Sudan in exchange for goods. Egypt
Is Egypt isolating Bedouins in south Sinai? Residents of south Sinai are outraged over leaked reports about the government building a fence that would separate the resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh from the rest of the province. Egypt
Palestine sends surgical team to aid struggling Venezuelans The Palestinian Authority has dispatched a medical delegation to Venezuela to offer medical aid for one month, in a step it says is strictly humanitarian and not political. Palestine
Disqualification battle camouflages real danger to Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is exploiting a fraudulent symmetry between Kahane’s racial doctrine and a minority’s struggle for equal rights to incite against Israel’s Arab citizens. Israel
Saudi investment fund hires US PR firm to create distance from crown prince New York-based Karv Communications will be paid $120,000 a month to “create a clear distinction” between the $200 billion fund and its embattled chairman. Saudi Arabia
