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
Knesset members entering Al-Aqsa provoke Palestinians Tensions are simmering over the Israeli prime minister's action to lift the ban on Knesset members visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Palestine
Congress wants VOA to take hard line on Iran Accusing US-funded media like Voice of America of being too soft on Iran, Congress and the Donald Trump administration seek to exert more control over its Persian-language news services. Congress
Turkish TV preacher, disciples detained on sex abuse charges Televangelist Adnan Oktar, who sparked both imaginations and outrage with his unconventional blend of sexuality with Islamic doctrine over decades, is accused of organized crime, espionage, sexual assault and more. Turkey
'Erdoganism' makes Western debut at NATO summit Though US President Donald Trump is already claiming his share of headlines at the NATO summit, much of the world is waiting to get a look at Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's foreign policy approach now that his office has been granted expanded powers with his July 9 inauguration. Turkey
What's behind Turkey's rush to reopen Iraqi consulates? Turkey's consulate in Mosul has been closed since the building was seized by Islamic State militants in June 2014, but now Ankara is looking to make a comeback in its southeastern neighbor. Iraq
Kremlin pressed to legalize private military companies As Moscow pulls out troops from Syria, Putin is pressed at home to legalize private military companies and come clean about Russain mercenaries' role in Syria. Syria
Iran supreme leader’s top aide in Moscow to ‘deliver message’ Iran has dispatched to Russia a “special envoy” with a message for President Vladimir Putin only a few days before his scheduled meeting with Donald Trump in Helsinki. Syria
Why Iran's president won’t close strategic Strait of Hormuz While Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s implicit threat to close the Strait of Hormuz has made headlines around the world, the real aim of his remarks appears to be domestic politicking. Iran
Turkey, Israel battle over Temple Mount Israel is looking into the increased flow of donations from Turkey into Muslim groups active on the Temple Mount. Israel
Why only Khamenei can break deadlock over global watchdog blacklist The heavily politicized debate in Iran over whether to ratify bills necessary to exit the FATF blacklist has reached a standstill that only the supreme leader seems able to break. Iran
Sisi grants privileges, immunity to Egypt's military brass Egypt’s parliament recently approved a draft law granting senior commanders of the armed forces ministerial and presidential privileges while allowing them to enjoy special immunity both in Egypt and abroad. Egypt
Israeli president stands up against Arab discrimination In a letter to the prime minister and the Knesset, President Reuven Rivlin pleaded with Benjamin Netanyahu to remove a clause in the proposed Nationality Law that would make it legal to deny Arabs the right to live in Jewish villages. Israel
