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
Ahmadinejad mired in clash with judiciary, IRGC Pressure is piling up on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as two of his key aides are detained. Iran
Is freedom of expression at stake in Tunisia? There are growing concerns in Tunisia over the declining freedom of expression, Tunisian authorities' crackdown on bloggers and the Nidaa Tunis draft law on electronic defamation. Tunisia
Battle erupts over Israeli High Court’s independence Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no qualms about threatening Israel’s democracy by advancing a bill bypassing High Court rulings. Israel
Curbing inflation tops Sisi’s list of economic priorities With Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi securing a second term, many economists are still wondering how to deal with inflation and soaring prices, while questioning the future of the armed forces' participation in the economy. Egypt
Russia seeks to extend role in Mideast peace beyond Syria Moscow faces many challenges in its efforts to help resolve Palestinian issues, especially as Israel rejects any mediator other than the United States and Egypt continues to be the sole sponsor of intra-Palestinian reconciliation. Palestine
IDF falls into Hamas’ trap on Gaza border It took Israel three weeks to understand what was evident from the beginning: that only restraint could minimize the number of casualties on the Gaza border fence. Palestine
Liberal US Jews recruit Democrats from all sides in anti-Trump fight Seeking to capitalize on growing partisan backlash to President Donald Trump’s Middle East policies, the liberal Jewish lobbying group J Street has formed a surprising alliance with one of the Senate’s fiercest pro-Israel advocates. Palestine
Joint Syria strikes build US-EU trust ahead of critical Iran deadline With the UK and France joining the United States in strikes over Syria’s chemical weapons use, trust is growing between the Trump and European national security teams ahead of a key May deadline on the Iran nuclear deal. Syria
Soccer mirrors politics in polarized Turkey Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's promotion of a soccer team that subscribes to conservative Islamic values has more so polarized fans than won them over. Turkey
Rural areas southwest of Kirkuk grapple with fears of IS sleeper cells The Fatha road snakes behind the heavily damaged Beiji oil refinery, crossing between the low-altitude Hamreen and Makhoul mountain ranges into an area of okra fields and mullahs who fear Islamic State (IS) sleeper cells. Iraq
Russia takes low-key approach to West's strike on Syria The United States and Russia appear to have coordinated with each other on how to minimize repercussions from the Syrian strike. Syria
Why so many Turks are losing faith in Islam Turkish politicians and media outlets have been discussing why so many young people are opting for “deism” at a time when Islam seems more ascendant than ever. Turkey
