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 Iraqi Shiite militias withdraw from Sunni areas? Some factions of the Popular Mobilization Units have started to withdraw from Sunni areas, which they helped to liberate, in a step aimed at avoiding sectarian conflicts. Iraq
Thousands left stateless in Iran amid ID card limbo Thousands of mainly ethnic Balochs are deprived of access to basic government services in Iran as they are formally stateless without state-issued ID cards. Iran
No opposition to West Bank settlement boom West Bank settlements are enjoying a new era of well-being and calm on all fronts, including the Israeli left who gave up as no one cares to listen. Palestine
Congress ratchets up pressure on Trump, Russia over Syria President Donald Trump wants to work with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to remove Iran from Syria, but Congress remains skeptical. Syria
Caspian Sea convention moves Iran closer to northern neighbors While the signing of the landmark legal convention on the Caspian Sea has exposed the Rouhani administration to criticism at home, the accord provides Iran with important advantages while leaving the door open for further talks on boundaries. Iran
Turkey amasses force of Syrian rebel factions at Idlib It's not clear what plans Ankara has for the National Liberation Front, a collection of Syrian opposition groups Turkey has established at Idlib. Syria
Is Washington pushing Turkey and Europe toward each other? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants new allies amid his spat with US President Donald Trump, but the West remains his best bet. Turkey
Apparent death threat against Rouhani triggers fierce backlash A placard seen at a recent gathering at a top seminary in Iran draws a fierce backlash, as it is being interpreted as a death threat against President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Trump declares 'no concessions' for Turkey The US president said in an interview he is "saddened" by Ankara’s refusal to free an American pastor in a dispute that has exacerbated Turkey’s economic woes and threatened a decades-long alliance. Turkey
Lebanon embraces Russia’s refugee initiative for Syria On his visit to Moscow, Lebanon's foreign minister expressed support for a Russian initiative on the return of Syrian refugees, but its implementation is easier said than done. Syria
Nationality law protesters alienate with Palestinian flag By raising the Palestinian flag at the rally against the controversial nationality law, a few Arab Israelis have distanced otherwise friendly Jews from their case for equal rights. Palestine
Abbas last obstacle against killing hope for peace For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ objection to the arrangement with Hamas is the last obstacle against burying the two-state solution. Palestine
