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
Can new TV network boost Cairo's role in Africa? A new government-supervised TV channel will focus on news and issues related to the African continent, but some fear its real purpose is to promote Cairo's interests. Egypt
Does Israel need France more than France needs Israel? Meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu preferred to focus on common battles rather than preserving the nuclear deal with Iran, the main mission for Le Drian's visit. Israel
Egypt seeks Arab League seat for controversial South Sudan For the first time since it seceded from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has publicly declared its desire to join the Arab League. Egypt
Palestinian women celebrate legal win with eye toward greater victories Palestinian women welcome their government's move to change a handful of laws that are unfair to women, but the road to full equality is still very long. Palestine
Iraqi courts seeking out atheists for prosecution Atheism is increasing among young people in Iraq, which some are blaming on Islamic parties' mismanagement of the country. Iraq
Congress threatens to cut UN funding for voting against Israel President Donald Trump and Congress are on the same page with a new law that would cut US funding for UN agencies deemed insufficiently supportive of Israel. Palestine
Pentagon: US refueling cuts civilian deaths in Yemen US Defense Secretary James Mattis defended the Pentagon’s refueling role in Yemen on Tuesday, saying the plan helps the Saudi-led coalition cut down on civilian casualties in the war-torn country. Saudi Arabia
Syrian Kurdish forces cede Tell Rifaat, claims Turkish press Ankara is already celebrating its victory over the Syrian Kurdish militia in Tell Rifaat today as dreams of a corridor under Kurdish control evaporate. Syria
Israelis, Palestinians both use demography as political tool The aspirations of the political right to annex West Bank lands have never been more obvious, as reflected in this week’s stormy Knesset committee debate about Jewish-Arab demography. Palestine
Israeli mayor finds thorns in 'village of roses' The head of a Jewish local council of Kfar Vradim in the Galilee halted the marketing of housing lots after half the bid winners were Arabs. Palestine
How Trump is prompting Iran to improve ties with its neighbors Iran’s long-touted motto of prioritizing good ties with immediate neighbors is finally taking shape in apparent response to US-led pressure. Iran
Iran’s supreme leader: I'm not in favor of polygamy Iran’s supreme leader is reported to not be in favor of polygamy, denying a fatwa attributed to him about the matter. Iran
