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
Pence pressure prompts USAID to appoint liaison for Iraqi Christians USAID has appointed a special representative for the beleaguered minority group following intense pressure from the vice president. Iraq
Iran launches missile, drone attacks on militants in Syria Using missiles and armed drones, Iran said it sought to send a message to terrorist groups and their sponsors. Syria
Erdogan greets Turkish lawmakers with fire, fury as parliament convenes The Turkish president opened the parliamentary session with renewed antagonism toward the United States and the Kurdish militants it's aligned with in Syria and Iraq, dashing hopes that Turkey's economic difficulties had tempered his aggression. Syria
Raki bottles tell story of Turkey's changes The story of raki under the Justice and Development Party is the story of Turkey’s Islamic conservative transformation in a nutshell. Turkey
Tunisia in limbo after Essebsi ends Ennahda alliance The announcement by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi of the dissolution of Nidaa Tunis' alliance with Ennahda, ending five years of consensus government in Tunisia, has sparked controversy. Tunisia
Is Trump shifting toward Abbas? According to statements by President Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly, it seems that the solution he envisions is closer to the one Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas favors than to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s status quo. Palestine
Lebanon’s next chapter: A new social contract Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil blames “foreign countries” for “disrespect of elections” in his country. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan in Germany: A controversial but successful visit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Germany has been an achievement as he managed to return to Turkey without committing himself to improve the human rights and democracy record of his country while getting what he wanted. Turkey
Will Shiite militias become Iraq’s Basij? The Popular Mobilization Units are expanding their presence in the strategic city of Basra by forming a Voluntary Reserves force, similar to the Iranian Basij forces. Iraq
Head of PMU faction talks Iraqi politics, US relations The head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Qais al-Khazali, spoke to Al-Monitor about the Iraqi organization's history with the United States and current political positions. Iraq
Abbas’ UN speech draws deeper wedge between Palestinians Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip were deeply divided over President Mahmoud Abbas’ address to the UN General Assembly meeting, as Hamas and Fatah exchange attacks in the media while arrest campaigns on both sides continue. Palestine
Palestinian factions weigh options after Abbas’ threats As Palestinian factions hold numerous meetings to discuss ways to counter President Mahmoud Abbas’ threats against Hamas in Gaza, people there grow increasingly worried. Palestine
