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's Zarif returns to work after Rouhani rejects resignation Mohammad Javad Zarif has resumed work as Iran's top diplomat after President Hassan Rouhani rejected his abrupt resignation, though the debate continues over what forced the foreign minister to bid farewell in the first place. Iran
Erdogan’s threats to replace elected mayors could backfire Turkey's president is reviving a bitter debate by threatening to nullify local election results in municipalities that elect mayors from pro-Kurdish parties. Turkey
Egyptian-Iranian relations: Where are they now? It's often hard to tell whether Cairo and Tehran will embrace or break up. Legacy: Gulf
Civil marriage resurfaces as hot topic in Lebanon’s politics Newly appointed Minister of Interior Raya al-Hassan recently said she will engage a serious dialogue on civil marriage in Lebanon, which sparked backlash from religious authorities. Lebanon
Israel's radical right uncorked Now that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has granted legitimacy to the Kahanist Otzma Yehudit, its members have not missed an opportunity to disseminate their racist ideology, including in the nation's schools and television stations. Israel
Is Netanyahu coordinating with Trump over 'deal of the century’? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes that publication of the US Mideast peace deal just after the elections would attract public attention away from an imminent indictment against him. Palestine
Erdogan threatens to dismiss mayors seen as PKK-linked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed PKK militants had infiltrated political parties in order to rig next month's elections, and vowed to dismiss any mayors determined by Ankara to support the outlawed group. Turkey
'Iran has one foreign minister': How Zarif is turning claimed weakness into strength The debacle surrounding the apparent resignation of Iran’s foreign minister is centered on a desire to refocus the diplomatic power of the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Iran
Iran in grip of massive backlash over Zarif’s sudden resignation The surprise resignation announcement by Iran's foreign minister has sparked debate on what pushed him over the edge. Iran
Despite high price of Syrian reconstruction, business, influence opportunities abound Though Syria's blueprint for reconstruction is ambitious, costly and in some ways at odds with Western priorities, there is some cause for optimism in Damascus' marketing of reconstruction opportunities to friendly states. Syria
Iraqis divided over continued presence of American forces As Islamic State militias have become active again in different areas of Iraq, the debate over ejecting US forces is on the rise among Iraqi politicians. Iraq
Labor Party recalculates strategy ahead of Israeli elections Paradoxically, the threat of the new Blue and White party in Israel has pushed the Labor Party into featuring sharper messages on diplomatic affairs and a clearer agenda. Israel
