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
Iran’s communication minister decries blocking of Telegram app Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has remained publicly optimistic despite the minor crises piling up for his administration. Iran
Israeli art students protest Gaza killing Israeli Science Minister Ofir Akunis, displeased with artwork by students at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design commemorating the 62 Palestinians recently killed by the IDF in Gaza, is denying all students from the school the opportunity to present artworks at an upcoming conference. Palestine
French group's manifesto against Quran draws rebuttals in Egypt A French group's call for removing some Quranic verses prompted responses ranging from "Ignore it and it'll go away" to "Go to hell." Egypt
Hamas focused on ending the blockade Hamas repeats the same strategy of violent demonstrations that it has used before in order to put pressure on Israel and Egypt to ease the Gaza blockade. Palestine
Gaza response shows Israel hasn’t learned from the past The Israeli government’s handling of the demonstrations on the Gaza border this week by using live fire against the protesters illustrates the continued blindness of its decision-makers. Palestine
Will new US sanctions affect Iran’s support for Hamas? While some believe new US sanctions will affect Iran’s economy and subsequently its financial support for Palestinian factions, others say this support is atop Iran’s priorities and won't stop. Palestine
Can Al-Azhar persuade Egyptians to stay married? Al-Azhar has launched a unit to research the causes behind Egypt's exploding divorce rate and to counsel people considering divorce to reconsider. Egypt
Congress puts US military sales to Turkey in jeopardy Lawmakers in both chambers want to penalize the NATO ally for detaining an American pastor and signing arms deals with Russia. Turkey
Iran maneuvers around gaps to preserve interests in Syria The West’s new activism on Syria is pushing Iran to adapt its approach, though its bottom line remains the same. Israel
Iran split over talks with Europe to save nuclear deal Iranian media outlets and officials are divided over working with Europe to save the nuclear deal, with hard-liners and conservatives insisting new negotiations will offer Tehran nothing. Iran
Calls mount for Turkey to release jailed Kurdish politician ahead of vote Nationalist presidential candidate Meral Aksener has joined a growing chorus demanding the release of politician Selahattin Demirtas, who is staging a quixotic bid to become head of state from his prison cell. Turkey
How many houses does Egypt's legislature need? Proposals to revive Egypt’s Shura Council are stirring controversy over whether the body would help or hinder the legislative process. Egypt
