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
Erdogan seeks lifeline from Putin in Syria The Turkish president will discuss Syria with his Russian counterpart in Moscow this coming week, as Qatar's Sheikh Tamim takes spotlight in Beirut. Saudi Arabia
Conflict erupts over properties surrounding Samarra shrine Owners of land adjacent to a holy shrine in Samarra, Iraq, are threatening legal action against the shrine's administrators, who allegedly are maneuvering to buy the properties on the cheap. Iraq
Lawmaker-turned-Saudi lobbyist raises eyebrows with campaign donations Former Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., donated $1,000 to a key lawmaker the same day he lobbied his office on behalf of the Saudis — a common practice in Washington. Congress
Erdogan's newfound love for cannabis For decades, the Turkish government took pride in burning cannabis fields in its battle against PKK terror. Now, a boasting Erdogan leads Islamists in celebrating industrial hemp cultivation as a method of resistance to the West. Turkey
Betraying Reformist backers, Rouhani paves way for Iran’s hard-liners to take office After supporting President Rouhani in the past two elections, Reformists are breaking with the president in public ways. Iran
Palestinian PM amends controversial regulation to exclude Jerusalemites A controversial decision ordering Palestinian homeowners to seek approval of government agencies before renting to any person with an Israeli ID produced a big reaction from East Jerusalem residents, prompting the order to later be amended to exclude them. Palestine
Sadr urges technocrats as armed factions look beyond border Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr continues to oppose "political" appointments, as his Saraya al-Salam guards Sunni areas relatively near the capital and other Popular Mobilization Units eye possible official cross-border operations. Iraq
Who controls Egypt’s sports scene? The rising monopoly of the Egyptian state-owned advertising and sports marketing agency Presentation Sports over soccer broadcasting rights is raising controversy. Egypt
Sex scandal shakes Israelis' trust of judicial system The sex scandal involving head of the Israeli Bar Association Effi Naveh is shaking all of Israeli society, generating mistrust against judges and their integrity. Israel
Why Israel’s culture minister defended Haifa’s Christians Christians in Haifa demanded that the McJesus sculpture be removed from the Haifa Museum of Art, but they certainly did not ask for provocative Culture Minister Miri Regev to intervene. Israel
