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
Outrage in Iran over reassignment of 'corrupt' minister The Iranian Parliament’s quick confirmation of Mohammad Shariatmadari as labor minister has sparked an outcry on social media, as lawmakers were very recently moving to impeach him as minister of industry. Iran
Ethiopian Jewish leaders make gains in Israel The government has accepted recommendations that the spiritual and religious leaders of the Ethiopian Jewish community be permitted to perform holiday ceremonies and burial and purity rites, but stopped short of granting the authority to officiate weddings. Israel
Bahrain ducks congressional scrutiny over Yemen war Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., had hoped to send a message to the Saudi coalition in Yemen by holding an arms sale to Bahrain hostage. It didn’t work. Saudi Arabia
Riyadh seeks death penalties in Khashoggi killing as US sanctions Saudis Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor has announced that he will seek the death penalty for five Saudi officials arrested in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s pro-Kurdish opposition struggles to be heard Two years after its leader was jailed, the Peoples' Democratic Party is still in parliament, but continues to face a crackdown that a European Parliament report included as a reason to halt EU membership talks with Turkey. Turkey
Will Israeli defense minister's exit impact Russia-Israel cooperation on Syria? The resignation of Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman has triggered discussion in Russian circles about whether the departure of a man deemed a staunch advocate for a "special relationship" with Moscow will affect Benjamin Netanyahu's cooperation with Vladimir Putin on Syria. Israel
New Iraqi chief embraces Iran-backed PMU despite US efforts Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units is establishing its position and influence in the government of new Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. Iraq
Egypt helps Tanzania develop new source of electricity After Egypt’s Arab Contractors was awarded the design and construction contract of the Stiegler's Gorge hydroelectric power station on the Rufiji River in Tanzania, experts and officials say such a decision could reduce tension among the Nile’s riparian states. Egypt
Can Tehran’s next mayor unite Iran’s Reformists? Tehran has elected its third mayor in 18 months and he has a challenging road ahead to unite a divided Reformist camp. Iran
The politics behind Iranian women's entry to Azadi stadium Iranian women were allowed into Tehran’s Azadi Stadium last week to watch a high-profile soccer match live. A lot of politics were at play to make that happen. Iran
Liberman's exit offers Netanyahu chance to build new coalition Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must seize the opportunity of Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s departure to form a new Gaza policy and a peace-seeking coalition. Palestine
