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
Islamists gear up for elections in Jordan amid widespread voter apathy The Islamic Action Front, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood, reverses its decision to boycott parliamentary elections. Jordan
Arab-Israeli soccer star joins Emirati league Following normalization of ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, the Emirati Al-Nasr soccer club has recruited Arab-Israeli star Dia Saba, who will be the first Israeli to join a Gulf league. United Arab Emirates
Netanyahu’s government shaking over decision to ban demonstrations The Knesset adopted this morning more restrictions on demonstrations during the coronavirus lockdown, but some Blue and White members could not bring themselves to vote with the government on that. Israel
Trump mum on refugee admissions despite pleas from Congress The administration has drastically reduced the number of refugees resettled annually in the United States. United States
Pompeo says US-Greek relations at 'all-time high,' urges Athens-Ankara talks In Greece, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Athens and Ankara to resume talks over maritime disputes ahead of an EU summit later this week that is expected to address lingering tensions in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Human rights group launches two years after death of founder Jamal Khashoggi The Washington Post columnist founded the Democracy for the Arab World Now, or DAWN, in the months before his 2018 murder. Saudi Arabia
Kuwaiti emir dead at 91 Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has died in a US hospital, according to Kuwaiti state television. Kuwait
Prominent Iranian charity leader fights worsening health in detention Held in solitary without a formal charge for nearly 100 days, Sharmin Meymandi-Nejad, the founder of a reputable Iranian charity, is facing deteriorating health as interrogators protract his indefinite detention. Iran
Kidnappings continue in Iraq’s disputed territories Despite improved security coordination among Iraqi, Kurdish and coalition forces, Islamic State remnants still threaten residents. Iraq
Jihadist regime forbids philosophy in Syria’s Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which controls most of Syria’s Idlib province, forbids the teaching and even discussion of philosophy. Syria
Netanyahu won't crack down on ultra-Orthodox despite virus surge Though the ultra-Orthodox community's disregard for pandemic measures has emerged as central to Israel's virus problem, Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu can't afford to endanger his political alliance with them. Israel
Turkey backs Azerbaijan against Armenia as war looms over Caucasus Armenia and Azerbaijan are once again fighting over the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in a conflict that could draw in Russia and Turkey. Turkey
