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
Iraq's grand Sunni mufti forbids participation in New Year's celebrations Clerics who issued fatwas against participation in New Year's celebrations come up against a wave of criticism. Iraq
Iran drought turns political as lawmakers fight over water share The acute drought that Iran is going through has started to show its political face as lawmakers from crisis-hit areas protest the "unjust" distribution of the already shrinking water resources. Iran
Turkey tests waters before next operation in Syria Ankara will face numerous political and security risks if it moves too hastily in its pursuit of the YPG in Syria. Iraq
UN seeks to raise awareness of bias against African-Iraqis Iraqis of African descent seem to be making progress, albeit slowly, against discrimination, with the UN's help. Iraq
Ankara provokes Iraqi government with plans against PKK Turkish airstrikes against pro-PKK groups in Iraq's Kurdistan put the Iraqi government in a difficult situation, as it cannot eject Kurdish militias or stop Turkish intervention. Iraq
Financial crisis threatens to silence Hamas broadcasts Hamas-affiliated channel Al-Aqsa TV fears financial woes could force it to stop broadcasting for the first time since 2006. Originals
Israeli factory to be established in Gaza, is this possible? Israel’s SodaStream announced it will open a manufacturing plant in the Gaza Strip, raising eyebrows since the company was forced to close a factory it previously operated in the West Bank under pressure from the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. Palestine
Why was the Palestinian Legislative Council dismantled? Palestinians are losing hope in their government and its institutions, especially after the Palestinian Constitutional Court issued a decision to dissolve the democratically elected Palestinian Legislative Council that represented all Palestinian parties. Palestine
Are Turkey, Syria squaring off in response to US decision? The US announcement that it will pull its troops out of Syria has sparked serious reactions, with Syria repositioning its forces around Manbij and opposition fighters weighing what the outcome could mean for them. Syria
Netanyahu's pro-settler allies force annexation into campaign agenda Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that he aspires to maintain his current coalition after the April elections means that Israelis can expect to see ideas like annexation and a binational state increasingly normalized. Palestine
After US-Taliban talks, Iran also confirms dialogue After years of accusations, Iran has confirmed that they have held talks with the Taliban. Saudi Arabia
Why Turkey's Kurdish strategy will remain ineffective While making moves to crush the Kurds’ de facto self-rule in northern Syria, Turkey has targeted also the Makhmour refugee camp in Iraq, which, ironically, holds a mirror to Ankara’s failed Kurdish policies over the years. Iraq
