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
Top Turkish bank official resigns as lira drops further A deputy governor of Turkey's Central Bank quit suddenly today as the lira took yet another tumble. Turkey
Zarif: Even America’s allies not immune to US sanctions During an unannounced trip to Turkey, Iran’s foreign minister warned America’s allies that they are not immune to US pressure. Syria
Israeli right-wing party aims at 1 million settlers HaBayit HaYehudi Party Chairman Naftali Bennett said that he is aiming for 1 million settlers in the West Bank by the end of next year. Palestine
Israel continues to deny travel permits to Gaza cancer patients Despite its acknowledged humanitarian responsibility toward the residents of Gaza, a ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court to allow five cancer-stricken relatives of Hamas members to travel for treatment is a notable exception to policy. Palestine
FIFA red cards Palestinian soccer leader The latest FIFA decision to ban Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub points to the world soccer association’s possible shift in its actions toward Israel and Palestine. Palestine
Jordan can't afford to lose UNRWA battle The row over UNRWA, including its funding, may strain bilateral relations between Jordan and the United States, as Amman rallies international partners to step in and compensate for the suspension of US funding. Israel
US cuts millions of dollars' worth of aid to Palestinians The United States continues to cut funds that had been designated as aid for the Gaza Strip and West Bank, this time withholding hundreds of millions of dollars. Palestine
Likud lawmaker seeks to ban Palestinian flag in Israel In the wake of protests at which participants waved the Palestinian flag in Tel Aviv, a bill is being fast tracked to ban the banner at even small gatherings. Palestine
Trump administration releases another $195 million in Egypt aid The Donald Trump administration has issued a national security waiver allowing it to release more military aid despite congressional concerns over Cairo’s human rights record and ties to North Korea. Egypt
Trump turns away from the Palestinians In a departure from past US administrations, the Donald Trump administration in a series of recent steps increasingly appears to be aligning the United States against the Palestinians on key issues in the conflict. Palestine
FBI says Ankara's Iran sanction-busting woes not over When a US federal agent spoke publicly about the investigation into a Turkish-Iranian sanctions-busting scheme and verified rumors that Turkey had tried to get the defendants freed, she confirmed Ankara's fear that more fallout from the scandal is still to come. Turkey
Iraqis split over US military decision to stay in Iraq Iraqi Shiite politicians and armed groups close to the parties in power disagree over the international coalition’s announcement that it will keep its forces in the country. Iraq
