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
Israel hatches plan to vaccinate Palestinian workers Israel’s Health Ministry is reportedly awaiting permission to use the country's stock of Moderna vaccines for Palestinians working in Israel. Palestine
GCC states race for foreign investment Despite the Saudi-led effort to bury the hatchet with Qatar, unified economic policies are coming up against by GCC countries’ needs to win foreign investment post-COVID. Saudi Arabia
Equatorial Guinea to move embassy in Israel to Jerusalem The West African state is the second on the continent to announce plans to open an embassy in the holy city, and the first country anywhere to do so since US President Joe Biden took office. Israel
UAE says Princess Latifa 'cared for at home' amid hostage claims After Sheikha Latifa claimed she was being held hostage, the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights asked the Emirati government to provide evidence that she is alive. United Arab Emirates
'Hostage-like arrests' in Egypt target families of US-based activists, rights groups say A coalition of human rights groups accused the Egyptian government of intimidating and harassing the family members of prominent activists living abroad. Egypt
Pentagon chief reaffirms defensive support for Saudi Arabia amid Houthi strikes Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to reaffirm strategic ties. Saudi Arabia
Israeli woman who entered Syria flown home The Israeli government is withholding some details about the Russia-mediated deal that also involved two Syrians being released from Israeli prison. Israel
Biden’s cold shoulder serves Netanyahu on right President Joe Biden’s iciness toward Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could benefit him ahead of the March elections. Israel
Turkey looks to Cyprus to consolidate EastMed gains Even as Ankara and Athens reengage in exploratory talks over long-running maritime disputes, Turkey is pressing ahead in its campaign for a two-state solution on the island. Turkey
Four weeks into presidency, Biden places first call to Netanyahu US President Joe Biden called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday for what surely felt like a long overdue conversation. Israel
Rouhani calls on US to compensate for Trump's 'economic war' President Hassan Rouhani called on the current US administration to undo the harm caused by the previous one, which he said was run by a "crazy person." United States
US, EU diplomats meet to salvage Iranian nuclear pact Secretary of State Antony Blinken met virtually with his European counterparts as the United States seeks to revive diplomacy with Iran. United States
