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
Putin man in the middle between Assad, Erdogan over Idlib A Syrian government attack on Idlib could upend the Astana accord. Syria
Following deals with Russia, Turkey now expands military cooperation with China Both China and Turkey are determined to develop their cooperation in the defense and security sectors. Turkey
How Trump's strong support for Israel harms pro-settler party The settler-friendly US administration is stealing away the agenda of the Israeli national-religious party and depriving it of an important enemy. Palestine
Iraq's Basra plans dam on vital river After angry demonstrations against the government in Basra about the lack of potable water, the southern Iraqi province is preparing to tackle the problem by building a dam on the Shatt al-Arab River. Iraq
Demands rise for Arab Knesset members to resign in wake of Nationality Law The Israeli Knesset may be witnessing the highest number of resignations since its creation in light of laws discriminating against Israel’s Arab population, the latest being the Jewish nation-state law. Israel
Gaza cannot wait for a miracle The crisis in Gaza leaves no time to dream of grandiose solutions, such as an artificial island or desalination plants, and only immediately allowing thousands of Gazans to work in Israel can alleviate the pressure. Palestine
US reimposes sanctions as Iran deal crumbles With the Donald Trump administration set to reimpose Iran sanctions after exiting the nuclear deal, it’s looking less and less likely the rest of the world can salvage the accord. United States
US defense bill could impact arms exports to Middle East This year’s US defense authorization bill calls for reforming America’s high-tech exports even as weapons sales to the region boom. Saudi Arabia
What will it take to defuse US-Turkey crisis? The US Treasury's sanctions against two high-level Turkish officials — a move unprecedented between NATO allies — has pushed the ailing Turkish lira to record lows against the dollar and the two sides could become trapped in an escalating spiral. Turkey
Why Israel’s Nationality Law could be good for Palestinians The recently adopted Nationality Law could actually help Palestinians in a way, as they might not need to specifically recognize Israel as the homeland of the Jews as part of peace negotiations. Palestine
IMF option looms larger for Turkey amid row with US Turkey’s economic woes keep growing, exacerbated by central bank inaction and simmering tensions with the United States, in what many see as an inevitable march to the IMF. Turkey
Iranians flock to greener pastures on Caspian coast The nationwide drought in Iran is triggering internal migration and its water-rich areas are already suffering shortages. Iran
