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 public opposition stop proposed Egypt-Israel railway dead in its tracks? Egyptian media outlets are making a fuss about a recent meeting between Israel's ambassador to Cairo, David Govrin, and the director of the Ibn Khaldun Center for Development Studies, Saad Eddin Ibrahim, discussing a railway between Egypt and Israel. Saudi Arabia
Druze anger rising over Israel’s Nationality Law Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not foresee the degree of anger the Nationality Law would generate among the Druze, with protests spreading quickly, including to the military. Israel
Palestinian's interview on Israeli program sparks backlash The appearance of a Hamas-affiliated political analyst on Israeli i24News channel unleashed charges of "media normalization" with Israel. Palestine
Israel rolls out election campaigns, scenting early vote Tensions and disputes are tearing apart both the ruling coalition and the opposition, a sure sign that the Israeli political system expects early elections. Israel
Did concert in Iranian holy city topple an ayatollah's ban on music? The singer Hesameddin Seraj gave the first concert in many, many years in Mashhad, a city known for its religious heritage, leading to speculation about more concerts to come. Iran
Is a storm brewing for Turkey in Idlib? The increasing presence of jihadis in the last remaining opposition enclave is giving Bashar al-Assad a pretext to threaten an attack on the region where Turkish forces are also deployed. Syria
Ankara’s eyes on Idlib as Astana group gathers in Sochi Representatives from Turkey, Russia and Iran are reportedly meeting in Sochi to discuss the Syrian conflict, and Iran's presence in the war-torn area seems to figure prominently. Syria
Caution and doubt in Iran as Trump offers direct dialogue In Iran, political heavyweights respond to US President Donald Trump's sudden offer of "unconditional" talks. United States
Turkey becomes more dependent on Russia due to Idlib Ankara has not reacted to large Russian arms shipments to Armenia as Turkey’s current priority is preserving security cooperation with Russia in Syria, particularly in Idlib. Syria
Why is Europe underplaying its hand on Iran? In a twist, Washington appears more aware of Europe’s ability to impact US sanctions on Iran than Europeans themselves. United States
Cigarette scandal shifts attention to institutionalized corruption in Jordan Jordanians were shocked to hear about a major corruption scandal involving officials who have allegedly helped businessmen run several unlicensed cigarette plants. Jordan
Palestinians reach agreement with Damascus on return of refugees Amid efforts to reconstruct the Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus, the PLO is working to facilitate the return of Palestinian refugees to Syria who fled to Gaza and Lebanon. Palestine
![An Iraqi's ink-stained finger is seen holding on to a cigarette in Amman December 14, 2005. [Iraq's al Qaeda and other militant groups branded landmark elections as ungodly and vowed to keep up their jihad to turn the country into an Islamic state, according to an Internet statement dated Monday.] - PBEAHUNUBES](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2018/07/RTXO28F.jpg/RTXO28F.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=b3kQn4Ki)
