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
Iraq's Sadr calls for disarming factions after Baghdad explosion After an unsanctioned weapons cache exploded recently in Sadr City, Muqtada al-Sadr is proposing an initiative to hand over to the state the weapons of Iraqi factions — beginning with his own movement. Iraq
Legendary Iranian soccer player urges consumer boycott to root out ‘thieves’ As consumer prices continue to hit ordinary Iranians hard, a popular former soccer player is leading a consumer boycott on social media in an effort to reduce prices. Iran
Renewed fight over Libya’s oil threatens entire country The repeated attacks against the country’s main oil lifeline will always be a looming threat as long as no central government is in place with full power over the entire territory of Libya. Libya
Palestinian security forces criticized for attack on press Palestinian journalist associations and rights organizations condemned the Palestinian security forces’ handling of reporters covering the protests that took place in Ramallah in support of the Gaza Strip. Palestine
How a tea kettle came to symbolize Turkish election opposition The Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and their imprisoned leader and candidate, Selahattin Demirtas, are running a positive and creative election campaign, rattling the nerves of an increasingly anxious Justice and Development Party and government. Turkey
Israeli defense minister calls for compromise on draft dispute Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman advances a compromise outline on the enlistment of the ultra-Orthodox, even though the opposition accuses him of caving in to them. Israel
Leave room for private sector to flourish, IMF advises Egypt The International Monetary Fund is cautioning Egypt not to allow its military-affiliated businesses to grow even larger at the expense of the private sector. Egypt
Ultra-Orthodox, leftists join forces against Israeli draft Ultra-Orthodox and leftist Knesset members have joined forces and advanced a proposal to abolish Israel's compulsive military service. Israel
Israel announces destruction of underwater Hamas tunnel Palestinian analysts believe that Israel announced the destruction of a recently discovered underwater tunnel in the Gaza Strip as part of a media strategy aimed at deflecting attention from its response to Gaza border protests. Palestine
Indonesian cleric’s call for compassion lost in controversy over Jerusalem visit During a visit to Israel, Yahya Staquf, leader of the world’s largest Islamic organization, expressed his vision for the peaceful resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and his strong support of the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Egypt’s proposed media law spooks journalists Egyptian journalists are speaking out against a vast press and media bill, warning it grants wide powers to the government and places potentially heavy restrictions on journalists. Egypt
Iran may become third wheel in Saudi-Russian relationship Saudi Arabia and Russia have been overlooking their differences, focusing instead on their mutual energy interests, but it might prove hard to ignore the elephant in the room indefinitely. Saudi Arabia
