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
Ahmadinejad’s right-hand man sentenced to prison The sentencing of Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei may be the final blow to former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad regaining his spot in the limelight. Iran
Ankara oddly quiet on China's alleged torture of Uighurs The Turkish public used to speak out loudly and often against suppressive Chinese policies against Uighur Turks, but now the media, the public and the government are keeping mum. Turkey
Kurds step up efforts to form self-government in northeast Syria The Syrian Democratic Council is forming an autonomous-area administration in parts of northern Syria controlled by US-backed Kurds and holding talks with the Syrian regime. Syria
Turkish-supported public services flourish in Euphrates Shield area The Turkish government has helped the local council in al-Bab to set up a plant to refill propane cylinders and Jarablus to build its first central bus station. Syria
More international artists join Israel boycott As Israeli politicians do their best to ignore international condemnation of the occupation, perhaps Israelis will hear the voices of artists like Lana Del Rey as the cultural boycott builds. Palestine
Sistani calls for nominating new faces for next prime minister As Haider al-Abadi's chances to serve a second term decline due to the bloody protests in Basra, Iraqi politicians are looking for a new face to head the new government. Iraq
Saudi Arabia hires star lawyer to fight anti-oil cartel bill Former Republican Solicitor General Ted Olson is being paid to push back against bipartisan legislation challenging OPEC’s dominance. Saudi Arabia
Pompeo guarantees fail to assuage Congress on Yemen war With bipartisan opposition to the Yemen war steadily growing, a Democratic wave in November could force the Donald Trump administration to end support for the Saudi coalition. Yemen
Can Erdogan intimidate Assad into backing off Idlib? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed not to "watch from the sidelines" amid news of increased arms supplies flowing from Turkey to Syrian opposition rebels. Syria
Pressure mounts on Iran's president to skip the UN General Assembly The Iranian president’s planned trip to New York to attend the UN General Assembly is sparking divisions among his political backers and opponents. United States
Iraqi planes land in Damascus following 7-year hiatus Iraq begins direct flights from Baghdad to Damascus after improvements in Syria's security, much to the delight of religious tourists. Iraq
Fatah brings Hamas-Israel truce talks back to square one After meeting recently with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Egypt has frozen the truce talks between Hamas and Israel and will focus its efforts on reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. Palestine
