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
Congress withholds Egypt aid over injured American Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has asked the Donald Trump administration to hold $300 million in military aid unless Cairo pays reparations for a 2015 attack on tourists and meets a series of human rights conditions. Egypt
Prospects dim for Iran entering missile talks The expected collapse of the nuclear deal and the escalated confrontation between Iran and Israel in Syria is minimizing space for negotiations over Iran's missile program. Iran
Turkey’s lira tumbles as inflation nears record high Investors are dumping the Turkish currency amid worries that a pre-election spending spree and pressure on the Central Bank to keep interest rates low could see the lira continue to spiral. Turkey
Iran's FM takes to YouTube to reject renegotiating nuclear deal Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has posted an English-language video to YouTube laying out Iranian positions on the nuclear deal, including why Tehran will not be revisiting the agreement despite threats by US President Donald Trump to exit it if it is not reopened and other issues addressed. United States
Turkey's ruling party offers big payouts ahead of critical vote Despite its deepening financial woes, Turkey’s government has rolled out an unprecedented $6 billion package to court favor with voters ahead of the June 24 polls. Turkey
Detained Egyptian journalist receives UNESCO award UNESCO's decision to grant the Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to detained photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, has sparked anger among Egyptian authorities. Qatar
Israel deports Palestinians from Jerusalem for not showing 'loyalty' A recent amendment to the Israeli "border and entry law," which permits the deportation of anyone not showing "loyalty" to the State of Israel, has allowed for the permanent deportation of four public figures from Jerusalem. Palestine
Netanyahu champion of 'don’t worry' approach Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has adopted the careless approach of some of his predecessors, reassuring Israelis that "everything is gonna be alright." Palestine
Pentagon blows deadline to pry Iraq off US military aid The Donald Trump administration will continue to foot the bill for rebuilding Iraq’s defense institutions amid rising Iranian influence. Iraq
Abbas speech draws fire amid accusations of anti-Semitism As this week's speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas drew condemnation from Israel, associates say the remarks reflect his own distress over the diplomatic deadlock he is facing. Palestine
Turkish opposition joins forces for parliament vote Four of Turkey's opposition parties, including the largest, are forming an alliance to challenge the ruling party for parliamentary seats. Turkey
Iranians hesitant to leave Telegram for domestic apps The Iranian authorities’ move to ban the popular smartphone messaging app Telegram has been accompanied by a campaign to get people to use domestically developed alternatives. Iran
