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
Will Egypt's public sector get longer weekend? The Egyptian government is considering adding Thursdays to the weekend for public sector employees. Egypt
PA declares truce with clan in tribal court after weeks of unrest The Palestinian Authority turned to the local tribal justice system to settle a conflict with the Arab al-Jahalin tribe after the Palestinian police killed one of its members, leaning on the local elders to restore and keep the peace. Palestine
Kurds put conditions for allying with Shiites to form government Shiite parties seek to gain favor with the Kurdish parties to include them in the majority charged with forming the new government, while the Kurds consider this a historical opportunity to impose their conditions on those wishing to ally with them. Iraq
Will Israel's defense minister hand over Arab town to PA? Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman is campaigning again for the transfer of the Israeli Arab city of Umm al-Fahm to the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Russia, US looking for common ground on Syria US national security adviser John Bolton met in Geneva with Russian National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev to outline the range of issues the two nations can jointly cooperate on. Syria
American pastor more excuse than reason for US-Turkey staredown While the US administration continues to demand Ankara free pastor Andrew Brunson, skeptical analysts are debating whether the motivations for this are votes in the upcoming midterm elections or a reset with a Turkey whose interests no longer align with the United States'. Turkey
Ankara startles banks as indebted companies hope for lifeline Ankara’s apparent intention to dictate "tolerance" by banks toward heavily indebted companies has raised concerns in the banking sector and potential rescue plans lack real financing options. Turkey
Is Trump's peace plan stillborn? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are united in an unlikely coalition already opposed to the soon-to-be unveiled US peace plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Palestine
What Israel wants from Qatar By signing an arrangement with Hamas, and meeting Qataris, Israel opens the door for Qatari and Iranian influence in the Gaza Strip, and even in the West Bank. Saudi Arabia
PKK feels heat from Turkey as commanders fall Baris Oner — code-named Tarik the Turk — is the third high-profile member of the Kurdistan Workers Party to be targeted this month. Turkey
Sunnis barred from holding Eid al-Adha prayers in Tehran Iranian Sunni Muslim activists have reported that Sunni worshipers were blocked from entering their prayer hall in eastern Tehran on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Iran
How 'America First' could jump start Iran-Pakistan pipeline project While there are important obstacles in the way of the realization of the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, the Trump administration’s policies amid the rise of Imran Khan could tip the scales in the project's favor. Russia
