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
Suez Canal tunnels expected to bring new life to Sinai Egypt is expected to complete the construction of four tunnels under the Suez Canal, which will boost economic growth in the marginalized Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Abbas trying to build countermovement to the US Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas recently called on the African Union to supervise the upcoming legislative elections, while also calling for an international peace conference, which is seen as a move away from the US administration in sponsoring peace talks with Israel. Palestine
Iraq-Jordan trade deal opens new doors for regional trade A breakthrough trade agreement may signal new trend toward integration; Erdogan plays Syria card in Turkish elections; HTS undermines Turkish-backed groups in Idlib. Iraq
Trump introduced Qatari to donor pursuing nuclear power project, report says A Tennessee businessman says US President Donald Trump introduced him to a potential Qatari investor at his Mar-a-Lago resort in spring 2018. Saudi Arabia
Iraq’s two leading parliamentary movements amp up coordination The Fatah and Sairoon movements have stepped up their efforts to see that the Cabinet is completed and for the government to properly face the issues ahead. Iraq
Intel: How center-left coalition has thrown Netanyahu’s re-election in doubt Former Israeli army chief Benny Gantz and centrist leader Yair Lapid have upended Israel’s upcoming elections with their decision today to join forces against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Turkey renews plans to drill off Cyprus Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey would begin exploring for hydrocarbons off the Mediterranean island in the coming days, frustrated by what it sees as Cyprus' unilateral exploitation of natural resources. Turkey
Iran’s Khamenei moves to usher in new generation of revolutionaries Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s vision of a “Second Step of the Revolution” has led to analysis about the youth role in its implementation. Iran
Turkish judiciary toughens stance on ‘Kurdistan’ groups The word “Kurdistan” is once again becoming taboo in Turkey, with the judiciary targeting parties and civic groups that use the word in their names. Turkey
Will Uighurs upend Turkey-China relations? Ankara’s angry outburst over the alleged death of a renowned Uighur folk musician while in Chinese detention has exposed the weakness of Turkey’s claims of defending the minority and its dire need to maintain good relations with Beijing. Turkey
Iran questions Iraq's promise to import oil despite sanctions In a surprising statement, Iran's oil minister recently complained that Iraq is abiding by the US sanctions and canceling some energy deals with Iran. Iraq
Egypt’s desire to eradicate slums leaves residents displaced The Egyptian government has relocated dozens of families from the Manshiyet Nasr area after a rockslide, on the pretext that their houses are too damaged, while in reality the government is on a quest to develop Cairo’s slum areas. Egypt
