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
Israeli Cabinet cheers Trump, ignores IDF warnings While IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot warns of a new wave of terrorism in the West Bank, the Security Cabinet prefers to cheer President Donald Trump on his decisions against the Palestinians. Palestine
Iranians divided on whether their leaders should talk to Trump Iranians are divided in their view of how to respond to President Donald Trump’s offer of direct talks. While many see it as insincere, they nonetheless welcome it as an opportunity to beat the United States at its own game. United States
Turkey extends flight ban to Sulaimaniyah Turkey seems to be expressing its opposition to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's candidate for the Iraqi presidency by extending its ban on flights to Sulaimaniyah, but the move may represent the extent of Ankara's influence over political machinations in Baghdad. Iraq
Russia, Iran compete to reconstruct Syria Amid domestic economic constraints, Moscow and Tehran seek additional sponsors for Syria's reconstruction. Syria
Khamenei appears to point finger at IS for Ahvaz attack Arab separatists walked back claims of their involvement in the Ahvaz terrorist attack after Iran summoned European countries for hosting them. Iran
Is Jordan ready to normalize ties with Syria? Syrian and Jordanian officials are in technical talks about reopening their border for trade purposes, but analysts have noted Amman's wariness about normalizing relations for fear of its possible effect on relations with its Arab and Gulf allies. Jordan
Can Tunisia handle public sector strike? While the Central Bank of Tunisia recommends taking exceptional measures to deal with the alarming economic situation by imposing new rules on banks to measure the ability to meet their engagements, there is fear the country could go bankrupt especially as labor unions are threatening to go on strike. Tunisia
Iran's influence continues to shape new Iraqi government After Iran succeeded in pushing through its preferred candidate for Iraq's parliament speaker, Tehran continued its pressure to secure the position of second deputy speaker, bringing the "score" to 2-0 against the US. Iraq
Kahlon aligns with Regev with eye toward early Israeli elections Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon has signed on to Culture Minister Miri Regev’s racist agenda against Israel’s Arab citizens not because of his ideology but in cynical preparation for early elections. Israel
Under nationality law, Israeli court favors Jews The resolution handed down recently by the Jerusalem District Court demonstrates the true ramifications of the nationality law and how Jews would be favored in courts. Palestine
Putin grants Erdogan last chance to end Idlib quagmire on Turkey’s terms Erdogan saves face in Sochi; did Turkey and Syria collaborate to capture Reyhanli terrorist?; Erdogan, Ocalan and Syria. Syria
