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
Defying blockade, Palestinians set sail from Gaza Although Israel stopped the latest attempt by sea to break the siege on Gaza, Palestinians are determined to continue efforts to draw attention to the blockade. Palestine
Holding elections in fractured Libya puts cart before horse It seems UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame is getting ahead of himself, agreeing to elections before the warring parties reconcile. Libya
After Gaza bloodshed, UN mulls protecting Palestinians The odds of the UN passing a resolution to send a protective force to the Palestinian territories are slim, but recent violence there has given the proposal legs. Palestine
Forces in Iraq's Anbar unite for cross-border anti-IS operation As the second phase of the operation to retake the last major pocket of territory held by the Islamic State across the border continues, local Iraqi forces in the western Anbar city of Qaim are wary but hopeful that some of their disappeared may soon be found. Iraq
Israel's undiplomatic top diplomat Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely made yet another questionable diplomatic move this week, boasting about an education agreement signed with Myanmar. Israel
Leader defines principles of new Future Syria Party In an interview with Al-Monitor, the leader of the newly established Future Syria Party, Ibrahim al-Qaftan, rejected claims that the group seeks to counter Turkish pressure in northern Syria, stressing that its goal is to build a pluralistic and democratic state. Syria
Will Egypt implement ban on YouTube over anti-Islam video? Almost six years after the release of the "Innocence of Muslims" movie trailer on YouTube, Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court issued a ruling to block the site for a month, but some question whether the decision will be carried out. Egypt
Israel ignores failure of Gaza blockade policy Israeli leadership refuses to recognize the reality and admit that its Gaza blockade policy failed in toppling Hamas rule. Palestine
How Israel's Supreme Court provides support to occupation of West Bank, Gaza Israel’s Supreme Court has authorized virtually every violation of the Palestinians' rights brought before it. Palestine
Congress targets election winners in Iraq The House unanimously voted to sanction two Iran-backed militias in Iraq, one of which just won more than a dozen parliamentary seats. Iraq
US pumps brakes as Ankara touts Manbij deal No agreement has been struck between Turkey and the United States on the control of Manbij, though Ankara is eager to report one with its somewhat estranged ally. Syria
Reformists face defeat in competition over Iranian speakership Incumbent Ali Larijani won the election between moderates and Reformists for the Iranian parliament’s speakership. Iran
