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
Why Abbas wants to dissolve legislative council Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the dissolution of the Palestinian Legislative Council, a move that raised legal controversy. Palestine
Netanyahu ignores Gaza violence, throws IDF chief to wolves The Israeli prime minister's predictable scapegoating of the IDF head is much easier than formulating a coherent policy on Gaza — and more politically profitable, too. Palestine
Israeli activists call out military academy for messianic teachings Human rights activist and attorney Yair Nehorai is petitioning the Supreme Court to halt the state funding of the Bnei David Military Preparatory Academy, which he claims advances a messianic worldview and is working to undermine democracy. Israel
Iraq's major Dawa Party rethinks course after electoral fumble Iraq's Islamic Dawa Party has been doing some soul-searching since losing the premiership for the first time in 14 years. Iraq
Turkey eyes Washington for its next Khashoggi move Even as reports emerge about the death of a suspected member of the Saudi team that allegedly killed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the steady stream of gory details is losing its shock value while the world waits for Turkey to produce its evidence. Saudi Arabia
Gulf countries concerned as Turkey cozies up to Kuwait Turkey’s military cooperation accord with Kuwait raises eyebrows in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Khamenei instructs Iranian scholars to look eastward In a speech, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei encouraged young scientists to look east rather than west for academic connections. Iran
Social security law leaves Palestinians less than secure The Palestinian social security law will soon go into effect despite mass protests expressing grievances. Palestine
Why is Qatar helping Hamas in Gaza? The Palestinian Authority believes the Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip serves the interests of the US and Israel, which plan to announce the "deal of the century" that aims at separating the Gaza Strip from the West Bank. Qatar
Syrian High Negotiations Committee under fire Activists in northern Syria have formed a movement to oust the High Negotiations Committee, which they say isn't representing their demands. Syria
Expert: Iraq vulnerable to major security breach As Iraq's security forces have weakened and violence has increased, observers question whether the country could handle a possible resurgence of terrorists. Iraq
Netanyahu ignores Iran's scientific, educational advances Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised himself for security achievements, but neglected to address the worrying decline in Israeli research and higher education. Israel
