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
Egypt embarks on new project in Congo amid faltering Nile dam talks Congolese media announced that Egypt’s Armed Forces Engineering Authority is in the process of implementing a project to make the Congo River navigable, while the negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam falter. Egypt
New Turkish indictment prolongs ‘torture’ for philanthropist Kavala’s family Months after he was acquitted on charges he sought the government’s overthrow with popular protests, Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala faces life in prison for his alleged involvement in a failed coup. Turkey
Israel’s Cabinet ratifies Abraham Accords Shortly before the Cabinet approved the normalization agreement with the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan spoke over the phone and agreed to meet "soon." United Arab Emirates
As US elections near, GCC states chart middle course between US and China Former Vice President and Democratic candidate for president Joe Biden's previous statement to make Saudi Arabia a 'pariah' hangs over the region. Saudi Arabia
Lebanon’s Hariri says he’s 'definitely a candidate' to lead government again The former Lebanese prime minister resigned last year amid anti-government protests, but now says he is willing to return. Lebanon
Intel: Turkish F-16s spotted on runway in Azerbaijan The discovery follows Armenia's allegation that Ankara has introduced combat aircraft into the Caucasus war. Turkey
Algerian activist gets 10 years in prison for 'inciting atheism' Yacine Mebarki was also fined 10 million Algerian dinars ($77,400) after police found a Quran with a missing page in his home. Algeria
Protests break out in Iran after death of famed singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian was a renowned singer and composer of classical music. He also notably supported the 2009 protests in the country. Iran
Saudi prince rattles Palestinian leaders in televised critique Former Saudi Ambassador to the United States Bandar Bin Sultan called for a new Palestinian leadership in the first two parts of an interview whose final portion has yet to air. Saudi Arabia
Attacks, 'unjustified' arrests mar security in southern Kirkuk Security forces continue to be targeted in rural areas of Iraq’s Kirkuk region as locals complain of "unjustified" arrests and yet another alleged Islamic State "mufti" has been caught amid scant reporting on the ground. Iraq
Nile cruises navigate river of challenges Following a monthslong hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, cruises on the Nile River have resumed, despite some challenges to the tourism sector in Egypt. Egypt
Christians make strong showing in Egyptian Parliament More Christian candidates are running in this year’s parliamentary elections in Egypt. Egypt
