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
Battle for Kurdish vote turns violent, leaves four dead in Turkey's Suruc Four people were killed during campaigning in a mainly Kurdish town last week, and the government and the opposition are trading blame over escalating tensions ahead of the June 24 election. Turkey
Iran's ex-military chief accused of squatting in former shah mansion The former chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces has been accused of living rent-free for 25 years in a mansion belonging to the shah’s regime. Iran
Egypt proposes increase on fees paid by foreigners Refugees in Egypt who are already struggling just to make ends meet are worried about the government’s proposal to increase the residency charge. Egypt
Palestinians skeptical of humanitarian efforts in Gaza Israel and the United States have indicated that they seek to ease the blockade on Gaza and improve the humanitarian situation in the coastal enclave, but Palestinians question their real intent. Palestine
Is Rouhani all talk, no action on hints at Cabinet shake-up? Both President Hassan Rouhani and First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri have publicly slammed underperforming government ministers, but few believe it will lead to a Cabinet shake-up. Iran
Turkey ramps up HIV awareness campaign As the HIV rate among Turks has sharply increased over the last decade, the Turkish government has started raising awareness among university students. Turkey
Will Iraqi communists stick with Sadr’s Sairoon Alliance? Rank-and-file members of the Iraqi Communist Party feel betrayed by Muqtada al-Sadr's Sairoon Alliance allying with the pro-Iranian Fatah Alliance to potentially form an overwhelmingly Shiite government instead of trying to dispense with sectarian politics. Iraq
Israeli bill forbids documentation of IDF abuses Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman claims an Israeli bill criminalizing the filming of Israeli soldiers is meant to protect them from harm, but human rights workers point out that it will also shield them from prosecution. Palestine
Israel's three-way deal on Iran in Syria and Russia in the G-7 Israel’s political and security echelons are intently nurturing ties and coordinating with Russia to oust Iran from Syria. Israel
Iran coy on support for Turkish assault on PKK in Iraq Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s offensive appears linked to Turkish elections and Iraqi politics; Is Turkey staying or going in northern Syria? Putin and Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri discuss Syrian refugees. Iraq
Saudi crown prince, Putin boost energy cooperation in Moscow meeting The recent meeting between the Russian president and the Saudi crown prince appears to have moved the two countries closer to a grand bilateral energy deal. Saudi Arabia
