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
PA rebuffs Israeli bill to cut prisoners' payments The PA's Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, and several factional bodies and activists launched a national campaign against a newly approved Israeli bill deducting the stipends of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails from the PA tax revenues. Palestine
Jewish Arab village in the spotlight after Israel passes nationality law The Swiss Embassy picked the Jewish Arab village of Neve Shalom as the venue for its Independence Day events in protest of Israel's recently adopted nationality law. Palestine
What prompted Turkey to move US pastor from prison to house arrest? The United States must determine what best motivates Turkey when it comes to foreign policy and diplomacy: the carrot or the stick. Turkey
US pastor granted transfer to house arrest by Turkish court American pastor Andrew Brunson has won a long-awaited move from prison to house arrest from the Turkish court, which credited "health issues" for its reversal. Turkey
Is ‘national reconciliation’ Iran's key weapon to win economic war? A top pro-reform official in Iran said national unity and reconciliation are in the making to defuse the US-led economic pressure and media war against the country. Iran
Performing marriage lands Israeli rabbi in police detention The case of Rabbi Dov Haiyun, who was detained by police for officiating a wedding, demonstrates the hold of the Orthodox establishment on the lives of Israeli citizens. Israel
Israel detects Russian shift on Iran's presence in Syria Israeli military sources sense that President Donald Trump, President Vladimir Putin and even Iranian President Hassan Rouhani wouldn't object to Israel pushing Iran out of Syria. Israel
Turkey seeks to grab bigger share of halal market Turkey is setting up a Halal Accreditation Authority in the hope of boosting sales to fellow Muslim countries. Turkey
Lebanese divided over efforts to repatriate Syrian refugees In the absence of a unified government plan ensuring the displaced Syrians’ return to their country, Hezbollah moved to facilitate the return, which some parties welcomed while others prefer the Lebanese state take charge of this dossier. Lebanon
Egypt gives green light to rice imports amid water shortages Farmers in Egypt were appalled by the government’s decision to start importing rice as part of its strategy to contain the water crisis. Egypt
Is there reason for hope with new Palestinian reconciliation bid? Hamas has officially agreed to a new reconciliation push sponsored by Egypt, and Fatah is expected to soon do the same. Palestine
Egypt goes against IMF advice, boosting public investments The International Monetary Fund is keen to reduce Egypt's investments in the country in favor of private investment, but the new government has decided to increase the amount it will spend. Egypt
