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
Israeli right-wing minister runs for Jerusalem mayor On the backdrop of proposals to detach Palestinian neighborhoods from Jerusalem’s municipality, the candidacy of Minister Ze’ev Elkin for Jerusalem mayor could ignite the already volatile atmosphere in the city. Israel
Nationality law makes Israel's Druze second-class citizens The Druze community in Israel has condemned the Jewish Nationality Law, which effectively demotes them to second-class citizens despite their military and other service to Israel. Israel
Lebanon looks for economic lift from cannabis Lebanon’s parliament is set to discuss a bill to legalize the production of industrial hemp as part of efforts to boost the country’s ailing economy. Lebanon
Egypt forms battle plan against fake news Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has warned against the dangers that rumors pose to the country and has announced government plans to combat the spread of false news. Egypt
The Sabbath revolution shakes Israeli sports New regulations that condition government funding for sports associations on not holding competitions on the Sabbath threaten to financially destroy entire organizations. Israel
Trump says he's ready to meet Iran 'anytime' US President Donald Trump said Monday that he’d be willing to meet Iranian President Hassan Rouhani anytime Iran wants, without any preconditions. United States
Pence escalates Trump-Erdogan rift with tweeted threats The US-Turkey brawl over American pastor Andrew Brunson is as intense as ever, as the Turkish president and US leaders exchange public threats and messages of defiance. Turkey
Will Iran reinstate its abolished Senate? Nearly 40 years after the dissolution of the Senate, some Iranian politicians are increasingly speaking about the need to revive the country’s abolished political body. Iran
After 7 years, Iran's Green Movement leaders may be released While the news of the likely end of the house arrest for the Green Movement leaders was welcomed, many felt that it was happening too late. Iran
Syria's Idlib emerges as Achilles heel in Russia-Turkey partnership Although Turkey is desperately trying to postpone an imminent Idlib operation by Syrian forces, a compromise doesn’t look likely. Syria
Will Iraq's Sunni provinces join in on protest movement? While the southern part of Iraq is witnessing a major protest movement, people in Sunni areas in the west and north — despite expressing support for the demonstrations — have fears about going out into the streets. Iraq
Residents of Cairo's historic buildings make plea to prevent demolitions Cairo's governorate is destroying architectural heritage in Egypt as part of the Maspero Triangle investment plan. Egypt
